The Village Idiom

cross paths

The idiom "cross paths" means to encounter or meet someone unexpectedly or by chance.

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In a sentence

  • While hiking in the mountains, we unexpectedly crossed paths with a group of other hikers.
  • After years of living in the same town, Jenny and Mark finally crossed paths at a local café.
  • During his career as a journalist, Kevin often crossed paths with influential politicians and celebrities.

Where it comes from and how it is used

The idiom "cross someone's path" is a variation of the phrase "cross paths" and is commonly used in everyday English language. It carries a similar meaning, referring to the chance encounter or meeting of two or more people. However, "cross someone's path" adds the element of one person intentionally or unexpectedly coming into contact with another person. It suggests that one person's presence or actions directly affect or intersect with another individual's life.

"Cross-purpose" is a different idiom that is related to "cross paths" in a slightly different way. It refers to two or more individuals or groups having conflicting interests or goals. While "cross paths" focuses on the physical or metaphorical meeting of individuals, "cross-purpose" highlights the potential clash or disagreement that can arise when people are working towards different objectives. In this context, "cross-purpose" suggests that the convergence of paths may lead to misunderstandings or challenges.

The idiom "cross paths" is commonly used to describe chance encounters or meetings between individuals. It can also be used metaphorically to suggest the interconnectedness of lives or the shared experiences that can occur across different paths. Other related idioms, such as "cross someone's path," "bump into," "happen along," "cross-purpose," and "come across," further expand on the concept of unexpected encounters and the varied circumstances in which they can occur. These idioms reflect the universal human fascination with serendipity and the belief that meaningful connections can arise from chance meetings.

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