What Does "Cross-purpose" Mean?
"Cross-purpose" is an English idiom. It means "a purpose or intention that contradicts or conflicts with another."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "cross-purpose" used in a sentence:- The two departments were working at cross-purposes.
- His actions seem to be at cross-purpose with his words.
- They were often at cross-purposes, leading to frequent disagreements.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Cross-purpose" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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