Be/talk at cross purposes In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "be/talk at cross purposes", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Julia Huong calendar 2022-02-19 10:02

Meaning of Be/talk at cross purposes

Be/talk at cross purposes informal verb phrase

To be in conflict with or misunderstand someone or something

I think they are at cross purposes. You should help them reconcile with each other.

Hold on, I think you may be talking at cross purposes.

I realized we had been talking at cross purposes.

The leaders are at cross purposes about the design of the project.

Other phrases about:

pull in different/opposite directions
To have different or opposite intentions that cannot be accomplished together
stormy relationship

A relationship that is full of disagreements or quarrels

on the wrong end of (something)

If you say that you are on the wrong end of (something), you mean that you have a problematic association with something; thereby leading to negative consequences.

knowledge in, bullshit out

Although someone is given reliable information, they continue to ignore or misunderstand it.

at daggers drawn
When two subjects are in conflict and disagreement

Grammar and Usage of Be/talk at cross purposes

Verb Forms

  • talked at cross purposes
  • talking at cross purposes
  • to be/talk at cross purposes
  • was/were at cross purposes
  • am/is/are at cross purposes

The verb "be" or "take" should be conjugated according to its tense.

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to look like a drowned rat

To be very wet

Example:

Because of forgetting bringing an umbrella, I look like a drowned rat when it rains.

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