cross-purpose

See also: cross purpose

English

Alternative forms

• cross purpose

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

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Noun

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

• cross-purposes
• at cross-purposes

Translations

contrary purpose or understanding

• Chinese:

  Cantonese: 南轅北轍／南辕北辙 (naam⁴ jyun⁴ bak¹ cit³)

• Finnish: ristiriita (fi)