To be at cross purposes means to have conflicting or opposing aims or goals, resulting in a misunderstanding or lack of cooperation between individuals or groups. When people are at cross purposes, they are working towards different objectives or pursuing different agendas that are contradictory or incompatible with one another.
This idiom is often used to describe a situation where there is a breakdown in communication or a misunderstanding due to divergent intentions. It implies that people or groups involved in a common task or discussion are not aligned in their understanding or motives.
Being at cross purposes can lead to confusion, frustration, and inefficiency in achieving desired outcomes. It may also indicate a lack of coordination or collaboration, as individuals or groups fail to work towards a common goal or fail to communicate effectively to resolve conflicts or disagreements.
This expression can be used to illustrate encounters in various contexts, including personal relationships, workplace dynamics, or even diplomatic negotiations. It implies a lack of harmony or unity, as conflicting objectives or misunderstandings hinder progress or effective collaboration.
In sum, when individuals or groups are at cross purposes, they have divergent or conflicting objectives or intentions that impede mutual understanding, cooperation, or progress towards a common goal.
