at cross purposes - idiom meaning?

Question

What is the meaning of "at cross purposes" idiom?

Answer 1

 

Idiom Conjugations:

 

Answer 2

Gerund Form of the Idiom:

Talking at cross purposes can be frustrating.
Working at cross purposes can be even more frustrating.
 

Answer 3

Idiom Usage:

At cross purposes can be used formally or informally.
The most common verbs used with at cross purposes are indicated in the conjugations below.
 

At cross purposes to
At cross purposes with

 

Answer 4

Idiom Scenario 2:

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Two women are talking ...

Joan: I was trying to get a wine stain out of the carpet yesterday.
Susan: Oh, did you buy a new carpet? I know you'd been thinking of getting one.
Joan: No. I didn't buy a new carpet. I spilled some wine on the old one.
Susan: Well, that's OK then. You can buy a new one.
Joan: But I don't want a new carpet just now. I want to get the stain out of this carpet.
Susan: I heard that Carpet Mart is having a sale this weekend ...
Joan: I think that we're talking at cross purposes here.
Susan: Really?

 

Answer 5

Idiom Scenario 1:

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The managers of different departments of a company are talking ...

Bill: What have you been working on lately?
Fred: Increasing production. And you?
Bill: Our department has been working on reducing inventory.
Fred: Well, unless the sales department is boosting sales, then we are working at cross purposes.
Bill: It would seem that way.

 

Answer 6

Idiom Definition:

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"at cross purposes"

to (usually unintentionally) be in opposition to have differing ideas or intentions

Synonyms: argument, clash, conflict, contention, controversy, difference, discord, dissent, disunity, division, friction, misunderstanding, opposition, tension