The phrase "is cross purposes" is commonly misspelled as "is at cross purposes". The correct spelling includes the word "cross" without the preposition "at". The pronunciation follows the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription: ɪz krɒs ˈpɜːpəzɪz. It means that two or more people are working towards different objectives or goals, resulting in a conflict or misunderstanding. It is essential to use precise spelling in written communication to avoid confusion and convey the intended meaning accurately.
The phrase "is at cross purposes" refers to a situation in which two or more individuals or groups are pursuing conflicting goals or objectives, resulting in a lack of understanding or cooperation. When people are at cross purposes, their actions or intentions undermine or contradict one another, often leading to confusion or a failure to achieve a common objective. It implies that the different parties involved hold opposing or incompatible views, causing their efforts to work against each other rather than towards a shared goal.
This idiom can be used to describe a variety of situations. For instance, in a workplace, two colleagues might unknowingly be working towards completely different outcomes, oblivious to the fact that their efforts are canceling each other out. Or in a team project, individuals with different ideas or approaches might clash, leading to a breakdown in communication and hindering progress.
Being at cross purposes can also occur in interpersonal relationships, such as misunderstandings between friends or family members. It implies a lack of alignment or coordination, where each party unintentionally hampers the other's intentions due to differences in understanding, communication, or conflicting objectives.
Overall, the expression "is at cross purposes" illustrates a scenario where conflicting aims or intentions hinder cooperation and productive outcomes, often due to a lack of clear communication or shared understanding among the involved individuals or groups.