cross-purposes
/ˌkrɒs ˈpɜːpəsɪz/noun
उच्चारण क्रॉस पर्पसिज़
एक-दूसरे की बात को ग़लत समझने की स्थिति (जब लोग अलग-अलग उद्देश्य से बात या काम कर रहे हों)
Core word
- 1
[plural]
a situation in which people misunderstand each other because they are talking or working towards different aims without realising it
एक-दूसरे की बात को ग़लत समझने की स्थिति (जब लोग अलग-अलग उद्देश्य से बात या काम कर रहे हों)
- We were talking at cross-purposes and wasted an hour.
- The two departments worked at cross-purposes, so nothing was finished.
- The two friends were at cross-purposes about the meeting time.
+ 2 more examples
- If managers work at cross-purposes, the staff become confused.
- We realised we were speaking at cross-purposes when she mentioned a different bus.
§Structures (grammar patterns) 4
at cross-purposes
The fixed phrase is at cross-purposes: people misunderstand each other because each has a different aim in mind.
स्थायी phrase 'at cross-purposes' है: हर व्यक्ति के मन में अलग उद्देश्य होने से आपस में गलतफहमी होती है।
- We were talking at cross-purposes.
- The two departments are working at cross-purposes.
talk at cross-purposes
Common with talk, speak, argue and work.
यह talk, speak, argue और work के साथ आम है।
- Radhika and her brother argued at cross-purposes for an hour.
be at cross-purposes with someone
With introduces the other party.
दूसरे पक्ष को 'with' से जोड़ा जाता है।
- The manager was at cross-purposes with his team.
plural form only
The word is normally plural and is not used on its own.
यह शब्द प्रायः plural रूप में ही आता है और अकेला प्रयुक्त नहीं होता।
- Their plans were at cross-purposes from the start.
+Collocations 4
verb + at cross-purposes
talkworkactarguespeakbe
- The clerks acted at cross-purposes and delayed the file.
at cross-purposes + with
with each otherwith the managerwith the planwith the rules
- The new rule is at cross-purposes with the old one.
adverb + at cross-purposes
completelyclearlyoftenseemingly
- They were completely at cross-purposes.
cross-purposes + noun reference
leadersagenciespartnersneighbours
- Two agencies working at cross-purposes wasted money.
“More examples 6
- We were at cross-purposes: I meant the library, she meant the lab.
हम एक-दूसरे को गलत समझ रहे थे: मेरा मतलब पुस्तकालय था, उसका प्रयोगशाला।
- The two ministries often work at cross-purposes.
दोनों मंत्रालय प्रायः एक-दूसरे के उद्देश्यों के विपरीत काम करते हैं।
- Let us clear this up, since we seem to be at cross-purposes.
इसे सुलझा लें, क्योंकि लगता है हम एक-दूसरे की बात ठीक से नहीं समझ रहे।
- The teacher and the principal were at cross-purposes about the exam date.
परीक्षा की तिथि के बारे में शिक्षक और प्रधानाचार्य एक-दूसरे की बात नहीं समझ रहे थे।
- Talking at cross-purposes can ruin a good friendship.
आपसी गलतफहमी में बात करना अच्छी मित्रता बिगाड़ सकता है।
- Because of the missed call, the two friends spent the day at cross-purposes.
छूटी हुई कॉल के कारण दोनों मित्रों ने दिन भर एक-दूसरे को गलत समझा।
!Common mistakes 3
✗ They are in cross-purposes.
✓ They are at cross-purposes.
The fixed phrase uses at, not in.
स्थायी phrase में 'at' आता है, 'in' नहीं।
✗ We spoke at a cross-purpose.
✓ We spoke at cross-purposes.
The phrase is fixed and plural, with no article.
यह phrase स्थिर और plural है, इसमें article नहीं लगता।
✗ He is at cross-purposes to me.
✓ He is at cross-purposes with me.
The partner in the misunderstanding follows with.
गलतफहमी वाले पक्ष से पहले 'with' आता है।
¶Idioms 1
at cross-purposes
misunderstanding each other because each is thinking of a different thing
अलग-अलग उद्देश्य या मतलब के कारण एक-दूसरे को ग़लत समझते हुए
- I think we are at cross-purposes; I meant the old plan, not the new one.
- The manager and the clerk were at cross-purposes about the deadline.
“Collocations, idioms and sayings
Idiom: the phrase is almost always used as 'at cross-purposes'.
Idiom: यह phrase लगभग हमेशा 'at cross-purposes' रूप में ही प्रयोग होता है।