Phrasal verb
cross up
Meanings
To confuse or trick someone so they react incorrectly or make a mistake.
To cause a teammate to be confused by giving the wrong signal or doing something unexpected, leading to a mistake.
Definition
To cross up someone means to confuse or trick them so they make a mistake.
If someone cross up another person, they cause them to misunderstand a plan, signal, or movement and react the wrong way. It often happens in sports or in teamwork when timing and communication matter. It can also be used more generally for any situation where someone is thrown off and ends up making an error.
Examples
- I got cross up by the sudden change in the meeting agenda.
- You cross up the goalkeeper with that quick feint.
- He crosses up his teammate by calling the wrong play.
- She crosses up the waiter by pointing to one dish but naming another.
- They cross up the audience with an unexpected plot twist.
Common mistake
Learners often say "cross up" without an object, but it usually needs one (e.g., "cross up the defender").
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.