At Cross Purposes Meaning & Sentence Examples

At Cross Purposes Definition, Sentence Examples

AT CROSS PURPOSES MEANING – Find out what at cross purposes really mean. Example sentences of this idiomatic expression can also be found here.

The idiom “at cross purposes” dates back to the 17th century. The term is thought to have originated from the indoor game “cross-purposes” or “cross-questions”. The game involved separating a number of questions (subjects) from their replies (explanations), which were then dispersed about the room for selection.

Players would then respond inanely by connecting topics taken from one player with justifications received from another player, even though the two were totally unconnected. For instance, one might answer a question asked by the person sitting across from them with utter disregard for the question.

At Cross Purposes Meaning:

with objectives or goals that clash or compete with one another.
Being at cross purposes refers to the confusion that results from believing you are both talking about the same thing when, in reality, you are both talking about unrelated but somewhat connected topics.
It refers to failure or confusion brought on by pursuing or speaking about various goals under the assumption that they are the same.
It can also refer to a different or opposing goal.

Here are examples of sentences that use at cross purposes:

I am afraid we are rather at cross purposes.
It will be difficult for the team to be successful if they continue working at cross-purposes.
Yael and Vic were at cross purposes the other day. They had a talk about Pat.
The members of XYZ organization fear the two government departments are working at cross purposes.

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