The idiomatic expression "at cross purposes" refers to a situation or a state of affairs when two or more people are misunderstanding each other's intentions or goals, resulting in confusion or miscommunication. It is often used to describe a conflict or a lack of cooperation due to conflicting viewpoints or objectives.
When individuals or groups are at cross purposes, they are essentially working towards different and incompatible aims, often unintentionally. This misalignment can arise from a variety of factors, such as misinterpreting each other's statements, having different priorities, or simply failing to communicate effectively.
The phrase is commonly associated with situations where individuals are engaged in a conversation or discussion, but their messages are not resonating with one another. They may be speaking different languages metaphorically, with their words having divergent meanings or interpretations.
Being at cross purposes can occur in both personal and professional settings. For example, in a business context, different departments within an organization may have different agendas or strategies, leading to conflicts or inefficiencies. Similarly, misunderstandings in personal relationships can stem from a lack of clarity or conflicting expectations.
Overall, the phrase "at cross purposes" captures a state of confusion and discord resulting from people unintentionally working against each other due to misunderstanding, miscommunication, or differing aims.
