cross-purpose
nounEtymology Attested (in the plural form) since the 1660s, originally meaning ‘contradictory intentions.’
1
Idiomatic A contrary or conflicting purpose or understanding, especially an unintentional or misconceived one.
- We are working at cross-purposes here, if you're trying to reduce the count and I'm trying to increase it.
- Derived terms
- cross-purposes, at cross-purposes