cross wires: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (idiom/phrase)Informal, sometimes figurative. The literal telephony use is dated/technical.
Quick answer
What does “cross wires” mean?
To cause confusion, misunderstanding, or miscommunication, especially through mixed signals or contradictory information.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To cause confusion, misunderstanding, or miscommunication, especially through mixed signals or contradictory information.
Also used to describe a literal failure in telephone or telecommunication connections, where two conversations become accidentally connected.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the idiom identically. The literal telephony meaning is equally archaic in both.
Connotations
Neutral-to-slightly negative, implying inconvenience or error. No strong regional connotation differences.
Frequency
Equally low-to-moderate frequency in both varieties. More common in spoken than written English.
Grammar
How to Use “cross wires” in a Sentence
[Subject]'s wires got crossed (with [person])We crossed wires (on the details).It was just a case of crossed wires.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cross wires” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We seem to have crossed wires on the meeting time.
- I don't want our messages to cross wires.
American English
- Our plans got crossed wires somehow.
- Let's clarify so we don't cross wires.
adverb
British English
- (Not typically used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not typically used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- It was a simple crossed-wires incident, nothing serious.
- The crossed-wires scenario led to double bookings.
American English
- We had a crossed-wires situation with the hotel.
- It's just crossed-wires communication.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"We must schedule the call carefully to avoid crossing wires with the New York office."
Academic
Rare; might be used informally among researchers: "The contradictory data suggests our initial hypotheses got their wires crossed."
Everyday
"Sorry I went to the wrong café—our wires must have gotten crossed about the location."
Technical
Dated/Literal: "The old switchboard occasionally crossed wires, connecting two unrelated callers."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cross wires”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cross wires”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cross wires”
- Using 'crossed wires' as an adjective directly before a person: e.g., 'He is a crossed-wires person.' (Incorrect). It describes a situation: 'It was a crossed-wires situation.'
- Confusing the idiom with 'cross swords' (to argue).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's most commonly used in the verbal phrase 'get/have one's wires crossed' or as a compound adjective/noun ('a crossed-wires situation'). It's rarely used as a standalone verb ('to cross wires').
It originates from early telephone systems, where physical wires could literally become crossed or connected incorrectly, causing callers to hear the wrong conversation.
It is considered informal. In formal writing, synonyms like 'miscommunicate', 'misunderstand', or 'a misunderstanding occurred' are more appropriate.
No, the standard idiom always uses the plural 'wires', reflecting the idea of multiple lines of communication becoming tangled.
To cause confusion, misunderstanding, or miscommunication, especially through mixed signals or contradictory information.
Cross wires: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrɒs ˈwaɪəz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkrɔːs ˈwaɪərz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “get one's wires crossed”
- “our wires are crossed”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine two old-fashioned telephone wires accidentally touching. The calls get mixed up, leading to confused conversations. This picture helps recall the meaning of confusion and miscommunication.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION / CONFUSION IS TANGLED OR CROSSED WIRES.
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'get your wires crossed' primarily express?