cross-purpose
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Related to cross-purpose: follow suit, catch up, in the first place, rest on, rub off, the likes of, turn up
cross-pur·pose
(krôs′pûr′pəs, krŏs′-)n.
Idiom: A usually unintentionally conflicting or contrary purpose.
at cross-purposes
Pursuing conflicting or contrary goals, usually unintentionally: We're working at cross-purposes.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
cross-purpose
n
1. a contrary aim or purpose
2. at cross-purposes conflicting; opposed; disagreeing
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
cross′-pur′pose
n.
an opposing or contrary purpose.
Idioms: at cross-purposes, in a way that involves mutual misunderstanding or produces mutual frustrations, usu. unintentionally.
[1660–70]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Noun | 1. | cross-purpose - a contrary aim; "at cross-purposes" aim, intent, intention, purpose, design - an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions; "his intent was to provide a new translation"; "good intentions are not enough"; "it was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs"; "he made no secret of his designs" |
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