noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this phrase, 'purposes' is a noun referring to the reasons or intentions behind someone's actions.
adjective A word that describes or modifies a noun. In this phrase, 'cross' is an adjective indicating a situation where two or more things are in opposition or conflict with each other.
preposition A word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. In this case, 'at' is a preposition indicating a specific location or position.
When individuals in a relationship have different expectations or are working towards different outcomes.
When two parties are communicating but misunderstanding each other's intentions or goals.
When team members or stakeholders in a project have conflicting priorities or visions for the project.
When team members are working towards a common goal but have conflicting strategies or approaches.
When two parties are trying to reach an agreement but have conflicting interests or objectives.
When parties involved in a conflict are attempting to resolve their differences but are not on the same page.
In the world of literature, characters or plotlines may be described as being at cross purposes when they are working against each other or pursuing conflicting goals.
A psychologist may use the term at cross purposes to describe a situation where a client's conscious and unconscious motivations are in conflict, leading to internal struggles or self-sabotage.
A business analyst may use the term at cross purposes to refer to conflicting objectives or strategies within a company that hinder overall progress or success.
A project manager may use the term at cross purposes to describe a situation where team members are not aligned in their goals or working towards different outcomes, leading to inefficiencies or project delays.