Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
to go on; to keep doing something; to last; to perpetuate
disembark
effect
continue
extract
full quiz correct answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   Album   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

meaning of "cross-purposes"



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
plz check my grammar mistake | The right tense for "plans changing"
listening exercisestell a friend
Message
Author
meaning of "cross-purposes" #1 (permalink) Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:16 am   meaning of "cross-purposes"
 

Hi,

Could you please help me with:

Quote:
Ex-P.F.C. Wintergreen was a snide little punk who enjoyed working at cross-purposes.


What does it mean?

Thank you!

Haihao
Haihao
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 26 Oct 2006
Posts: 2471
Location: Japan

"cross-purposes" #2 (permalink) Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:52 am   "cross-purposes"
 

Hi Haihao,

'At cross purposes' suggests in contradiction with someone. If two people have a discussion and appear to have different goals in mind or simply that they have misunderstood what each other's goals are said to be in this situation. There's a good adjective to describe someone who actually 'enjoys' doing this as in your quotation and that's obstreperous.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 13891
Location: UK

Learn some cool expressions in the following cool storyEnglish grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!Here is all you want to know about English! Click to subscribe to free email English course
"cross-purposes" #3 (permalink) Tue Jun 12, 2007 8:12 am   "cross-purposes"
 

Good morning Alan from Japan in the evening! :)

Thank you very much and now I understand the person described as 'enjoyed working at cross-purposes' is of such a kind as was fond of being opposite to other people.

Haihao
Haihao
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 26 Oct 2006
Posts: 2471
Location: Japan

Display posts from previous:   
plz check my grammar mistake | The right tense for "plans changing"
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on English Forums
contrasted comparativessmiled "at" somebody or smiled "in" somebody?Expression: is being usedScoring at homeno one was aware of where she had gone?plz check my essay: Write a congratulatory card to the comradeMeaning of the word 'expatriate'"on me" or "with me"There will be windy or it will be windy...Expression: let downThe weather is hotMeaning of "Let's go dry!"I figure out that I ... my cell phone in the theather?

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail