crosscurrent
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A current of water that flows across or against another current: A stretch of turbulent water in a river or the sea caused by one current flowing into or across another.
- A conflicting tendency, opinion, or influence: An opinion, movement, or force that opposes or differs from the main or prevailing one, especially within a group or activity.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Water Current):
- Swimmers were warned about the dangerous crosscurrent near the mouth of the river.
- The boat struggled against the strong crosscurrents in the channel.
- Noun (Conflicting Influence):
- The debate was complicated by several political crosscurrents.
- There are many crosscurrents of opinion within the organization about its future direction.
Advanced Usage
- "To navigate crosscurrents": To manage or deal with opposing forces or conflicting opinions.
- The new CEO skillfully navigated the crosscurrents of the board's differing agendas.
- "A crosscurrent of thought": A conflicting or divergent line of thinking.
- His speech revealed a crosscurrent of thought that challenged the party's official stance.
Variants and Related Words
- Countercurrent (noun): A current flowing in an opposite direction.
- The countercurrent made it difficult to swim upstream.
- Undertow (noun): A strong current below the surface of water, moving in a different direction from surface currents. (Note: This is a related but distinct phenomenon from a surface crosscurrent.)
Synonyms
- Countercurrent: An opposing current.
- Riptide/Rip current: A strong, narrow current flowing outward from the shore. (Note: This is a specific, dangerous type of crosscurrent.)
- Undercurrent: A hidden, often contrary, tendency or feeling.
- Conflict: A serious disagreement or opposition.
Related Phrases
- Cross purposes: Having conflicting aims or ideas.
- We seem to be working at cross purposes; let's clarify our goals.
- Against the tide/current: In opposition to the prevailing opinion or trend.
- Her innovative ideas often went against the tide of conventional thinking.
Related Idioms
- To swim against the current: To act in opposition to prevailing opinion or trends.
- He has always been one to swim against the current and challenge established norms.
- A sea of troubles: A multitude of problems or conflicting situations. (This idiom evokes the chaotic nature of multiple crosscurrents.)
- The project was launched into a sea of troubles, with conflicting demands from every department.
Noun
- actions counter to the main group activity
- political crosscurrents disrupted the conference
- a stretch of turbulent water in a river or the sea caused by one current flowing into or across another current