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cross-purpose

A contrary or conflicting purpose or understanding, especially an unintentional or misconceived one.

Etymology:

  • Attested since the 1660s, originally meaning ‘contradictory intentions.’
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We are working at cross-purposes here, if you're trying to reduce the count and I'm trying to increase it.

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Submitted on July 07, 2010

Additional definitions for 'cross-purpose':

cross-purposeA conversational game, in which questions and answers are made so as to involve ludicrous combinations of ideas.
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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to cross-purpose

cross the rubiconcross the floorcross someone's pathcross swordscross the floorcross that bridge when one gets to itcross swordsDot Your I's and Cross Your T'scross swordscross the linedon't cross your bridge until you arriv…Cross that Bridge when You Come to Iton purposecross the line

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