See also: cross purpose

English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

Attested (in the plural form) since the 1660s, originally meaning ‘contradictory intentions.’[1]

Pronunciation edit

  • (file)

Noun edit

cross-purpose (plural cross-purposes)

  1. (idiomatic) A contrary or conflicting purpose or understanding, especially an unintentional or misconceived one.
    We are working at cross-purposes here, if you're trying to reduce the count and I'm trying to increase it.

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

References edit

  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024), “cross”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.