Can you give an example of when you were talking at cross purposes?
(of two people or groups) misunderstand what the other is referring to or trying to do: Mary and I spoke about Anne for a minute or two before I realized we were talking at cross purposes: I meant Anne Smith and Mary meant Anne Harris.
What is Crossoff?
: to draw a line through (a name or item on a list) They crossed off the names of the people who had already been invited.
What is cross purposing?
cross-pur·pose A usually unintentionally conflicting or contrary purpose. Idiom: at cross-purposes. Pursuing conflicting or contrary goals, usually unintentionally: We’re working at cross-purposes.
What does connotative cross mean?
1a : a structure consisting of an upright with a transverse beam used especially by the ancient Romans for execution. b often capitalized : the cross on which Jesus was crucified. 2a : crucifixion. b : an affliction that tries one’s virtue, steadfastness, or patience We all have our crosses to bear.
What does getting the wrong end of the stick mean?
chiefly British, informal. : an incorrect understanding of something You’ve got (hold of) the wrong end of the stick.
What is Closeoff?
Definition of close off : to not allow (something) to be used for a period of time : close The city closed off the beach to tourists. Half of the museum was closed off while they made the changes. —sometimes used figuratively He closes himself off to new experiences.
What is Markoff?
1. phrasal verb. If you mark off a piece or length of something, you make it separate, for example by putting a line on it or around it. He used a rope to mark off the circle. [
What’s the meaning of dribs and drabs?
informal. : small amounts that come or happen over a period of time They received donations in dribs and drabs.
What part of speech is cross?
part of speech: transitive verb. inflections: crosses, crossing, crossed.
What is the term used for the cross?
A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two intersecting lines or bars, usually perpendicular to each other. A cross of oblique lines, in the shape of the Latin letter X, is also termed a saltire in heraldic terminology.
What does it mean when someone is talking at cross purposes?
Talking at cross-purposes means that two characters are engaged in a discussion where one or both of them is misunderstanding the other. Either specific details or their core suppositions are at odds, but this isn’t clear to both parties. Talking at cross-purposes can take many forms, although the simplest version is a basic mishearing.
Which is the best definition of at cross purposes?
Definition of at cross-purposes. : in a way that causes confusion or failure because people are working or talking with different goals or purposes We’ll never succeed together if we continue to work at cross-purposes (with each other). It became clear that they were talking at cross-purposes.
What does the adverb’at cross purposes’mean?
cross purposes. adverb. uk /ˌkrɒs ˈpɜː.pə.sɪz/ us /ˌkrɑːs ˈpɝː.pə.sɪz/. at cross purposes. › If two or more people are at cross purposes, they do not understand each other because they are talking about different subjects without realizing this: I think we’ve been talking at cross purposes – I meant next year, not this year.
How to improve your vocabulary at cross purposes?
Improve your vocabulary with English Vocabulary in Use from Cambridge. Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence. They’re talking at cross-purposes without realizing it. I will show that explicitly recognizing these different levels, and not confusing them, minimizes the risk of talking at cross purposes.