At Cross Purposes Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

This database is a comprehensive collection of all the American idioms and slang available. American Idioms are many and varied. We hope you enjoy our collection. We are adding more all the time. .

at cross-purposes What does at cross-purposes mean?	to have opposite ways to do something, to have opposing goals	They are at cross purposes and are always arguing about what to do.
At cross purposes What does At cross purposes mean?	When people are at cross purposes, they misunderstand each other or have different or opposing objectives.
at cross-purposes What does at cross-purposes mean?	to have opposite ways of doing something, to have opposing goals	The two men are at cross purposes. They cannot agree about anything.
	Some Random Idioms
stupid-ass What does "stupid-ass" mean?	dumb; stupid; idiotic

mind-numbing What does "mind-numbing" mean?	to be extremely boring	The speech was so boring that it was mind-numbing.
in perpetuity What does "in perpetuity" mean?	forever, eternally	The man was promised by the city that he would receive a discount on his water bill in perpetuity.
fucking What does "fucking" mean?	the act of having sexual intercourse.	Their fucking is so incredibly noisy it kept me up all last night.
go through (an experience) What does "go through (an experience)" mean?	to experience/suffer/live through something	The man has gone through some hard times since he lost his job.
hot under the collar What does "hot under the collar" mean?	very angry	Our boss is hot under the collar today because three of the staff came late.
guest of honor What does "guest of honor" mean?	the special person for whom a party or ceremony is held	My father was the guest of honor at the company banquet.
pop the clutch What does "pop the clutch" mean?	engage the clutch abruptly.	Don't pop the clutch. Be a bit more gentle when you shift gears.

clamshell What does "clamshell" mean?	luggage container that is put on a car's roof (it opens like a clam does)
pull (something) off What does "pull (something) off" mean?	to succeed in doing something difficult or impossible	The contract seemed impossible to win but we pulled it off through our skillful negotiating.
throw in the towel/sponge What does "throw in the towel/sponge" mean?	admit defeat, stop fighting (in a boxing match a towel is thrown into the ring to admit defeat)	admit defeat, stop fighting (in a boxing match a towel is thrown into the ring to admit defeat)The candidate threw in the towel early in the evening of the election when it became impossible for her to win.
take turns What does "take turns" mean?	to do something alternately with others	We had to take turns using the dictionary because there was only one.

American Idioms and Expressions

At Cross Purposes Idiom