settings
The Hound of the Baskervilles vocabulary
95 vocabulary words, including people, places, music, artists, etc.
help & settings
[x]
-
cross-purposes
-
► definition
Definition:having opposite or conflicting goals
► uses
Uses:
"Sir," I said coldly, "I have to speak to you on a matter that admits of no delay."
"What is that, sir?" he replied, ironically. "Have you discovered something that has escaped me, or has the sea delivered up any new secrets?"
We were at cross-purposes.
---
A flush of vexation passed over her expressive face. "We have been talking at cross purposes," said she.
Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902)
---
Winston had the feeling that they were talking at cross-purposes.
George Orwell. 1984 (1949)
---
General Bagovut, a fighting old soldier of placid temperament, being also upset by all the delay, confusion, and cross-purposes, fell into a rage to everybody’s surprise and quite contrary to his usual character and said disagreeable things to Toll.
Leo Tolstoy. War and Peace.
help with search