cross-purpose

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

We are working at cross-purposes here, if youre trying to reduce the count and Im trying to increase it.


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  • Cross Purpose — Studio album by Spooky Tooth Released Feb 23, 1999 Recorded Jul 22, 1 …   Wikipedia

  • Cross purpose — Cross Cross (kr[o^]s), a. 1. Not parallel; lying or falling athwart; transverse; oblique; intersecting. [1913 Webster] The cross refraction of the second prism. Sir I. Newton. [1913 Webster] 2. Not accordant with what is wished or expected;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cross-purpose — cross pur pose ( p?r p?s), n. 1. A counter or opposing purpose; a contrary aim; hence, that which is inconsistent or contradictory. Shaftesbury. [1913 Webster] 2. pl. A conversational game, in which questions and answers are made so as to involve …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cross-purpose — [krôs′pʉr′pəs] n. a contrary or conflicting purpose at cross purposes having, or acting under, a misunderstanding as to each other s purposes …   English World dictionary

  • cross-purpose — cross′ pur′pose n. an opposing or contrary purpose • at cross purposes Etymology: 1660–70 …   From formal English to slang

  • cross-purpose — noun Date: 1668 a purpose usually unintentionally contrary to another purpose of oneself or of someone or something else usually used in plural < the two were always working at cross purposes > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • cross-purpose — /kraws perr peuhs, kros /, n. 1. an opposing or contrary purpose. 2. at cross purposes, in a way that involves or produces mutual misunderstanding or frustration, usually unintentionally. [1660 70] * * * …   Universalium

  • cross-purpose — /krɒs ˈpɜpəs / (say kros perpuhs) noun 1. an opposing or contrary purpose. –phrase 2. be at cross purposes, (sometimes followed by with) to be involved in a misunderstanding, such that each person makes a wrong interpretation of the other s… …  

  • cross-purpose — noun a contrary aim (Freq. 1) at cross purposes • Hypernyms: ↑purpose, ↑intent, ↑intention, ↑aim, ↑design …   Useful english dictionary

  • cross purpose — contrary purpose, purpose that opposes another, involuntarily conflicting purpose …   English contemporary dictionary

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