cross-purpose

American  

[kraws-pur-puhs, kros-] / ˈkrɔsˈpɜr pəs, ˈkrɒs- /

noun

1. an opposing or contrary purpose.

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idioms

1. at cross-purposes, in a way that involves or produces mutual misunderstanding or frustration, usually unintentionally.

cross-purpose British  

noun

1. a contrary aim or purpose

2. conflicting; opposed; disagreeing

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Etymology

Origin of cross-purpose

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

If it wants to build a cross-platform, cross-purpose platform for audio and video calls, it has to get a lot of little things right.

From The Verge • Jun. 1, 2022

They interrupt, contradict, mimic, mock, carry on cross-purpose conversation.

From Time Magazine Archive

"If we find every fact of life at cross-purpose with Scripture, what then?"

From The Call of the Town A Tale of Literary Life by Hammerton, John Alexander, Sir

Both clearly see the strange, romantic threads restraining them within coercive limits, interdicting helpful alliances while leading all at divergent angles of cross-purpose.

From Oswald Langdon or, Pierre and Paul Lanier. A Romance of 1894-1898 by Lee, Carson Jay

The pretty vision greeted him with the air of a privileged child of the house, interrupting only for an instant the babel of cross-purpose explanation about carriages and trains.

From The Convert by Robins, Elizabeth