Cross signals
Meaning
Conflicting or mixed messages that lead to misunderstanding or confusion.
Origin
In the early days of telecommunication, whether by telegraph, telephone, or radio, "cross signals" was a very literal problem. It referred to the technical malfunction where electrical currents from one line would bleed into another, or radio frequencies would interfere, causing messages to become garbled, mixed, or entirely incomprehensible. Operators might hear parts of two different conversations simultaneously, leading to absolute confusion. This frustrating technical glitch quickly became a metaphor for any situation where conflicting or unclear information led to misunderstanding, reflecting the chaos of literal crossed wires in human interaction.
Examples
- Due to the new manager's conflicting instructions, we've been getting cross signals about the project deadline.
- Their relationship suffered from constant cross signals, as they never seemed to be on the same page.