crossing up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crossing up" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to sports, gambling, or informal discussions about making a mistake or misjudgment. Example: "I thought the game was going to be easy, but I ended up crossing up my predictions and losing the bet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Crossing up his defender, Lue, on the right baseline, Iverson lofted a high-arching shot that drew only net and quieted the crowd.

The New York Times - Sports

Dealing her own brand of three-card monte, Mauresmo kept crossing up Capriati, sneaking to the net, standing wide to serve and maintaining the unpredictable.

The New York Times - Sports

Last week, an enchanting man named Adam Grace managed to beat his opponent by shouting out his answers in a freaky way, head tipped way back, crossing up all of her expectations of lying and truth-telling.

The New York Times

I see the signifiers of comedy — the incessant brand-name and pop-culture references, the fetish with irritating abbreviations ("abbrevs"), the crossing up of traditional gender roles, the sudden rants — but they don't make me laugh, if that's what they're meant to do.

The New York Times

For travelers crossing up to 8 time zones, exposure to light in the morning when traveling eastward moves the clock backwards, while exposure in the evening when traveling westward shifts it to a later time.

Huffington Post

if you start crossing up in the air always keep your front wheel pointing in the direction of the landing.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The perplexed Knicks were crossed up.

The New York Times - Sports

The pitch was a 97-mile-an-hour fastball, and it crossed up Posada.

The New York Times - Sports

The 2-2 pisch is a phenomenal curveball down and in that just crosses up Gomes completely.

The Guardian - Sport

Three minutes later, Gaborik and Lundqvist got crossed up, and the game was over.

The New York Times - Sports

The Nets crossed up their passes, fell short on their shots and stared into the distance on defense.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "crossing up" to describe a strategic maneuver, ensure the context clearly indicates the element of surprise or unexpectedness. This enhances the impact and clarity of your writing.

Common error

While "crossing up" is acceptable in informal settings, it might sound too colloquial in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "confounding" or "thwarting" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "crossing up" functions primarily as a transitive verb, often describing the act of deceiving or outmaneuvering someone. As shown by Ludwig, its usage includes instances where someone confounds expectations or disrupts plans.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crossing up" is a phrasal verb primarily used to describe deceiving or outmaneuvering someone, often in a strategic context. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English, although it's more common in neutral to informal settings like news and media, and Wiki. While grammatically correct, it may be too informal for academic or business writing, where synonyms like "confounding" or "thwarting" might be more appropriate. Be mindful of the context and audience when deciding whether to use "crossing up". The provided examples, like those from the New York Times, showcase its diverse application but also suggest a degree of caution in formal usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deceiving

This alternative conveys the meaning of misleading or tricking someone, focusing on the act of causing someone to believe something that is not true.

confounding

This alternative highlights the act of confusing or puzzling someone, often by presenting unexpected information or actions.

outsmarting

This alternative emphasizes the act of surpassing someone in intelligence or cunning, often to gain an advantage.

thwarting

This alternative focuses on preventing someone from achieving their goal or plan, often through clever maneuvering.

baffling

This alternative suggests causing someone to be completely unable to understand or explain something.

misleading

This alternative highlights the act of giving someone the wrong idea or impression, often intentionally.

circumventing

This alternative emphasizes the act of finding a way around obstacles or rules, often to achieve a desired outcome.

double-crossing

This alternative suggests betraying someone who trusts you, especially by deceiving them for personal gain.

fooling

This alternative conveys the meaning of tricking someone in a playful or deceptive way.

tricking

This alternative emphasizes the use of deception or cunning to achieve a goal.

FAQs

How can I use "crossing up" in a sentence?

You can use "crossing up" to describe deceiving someone, as in "The basketball player was "deceiving" his defender by quickly changing direction."

What's a more formal alternative to "crossing up"?

In more formal contexts, consider using words like "confounding", "thwarting", or "circumventing" instead of "crossing up", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "crossing up" appropriate for academic writing?

While understandable, "crossing up" may be too informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise and academic language to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "crossing up" and "making a mistake"?

"Crossing up" implies a deliberate act of deception or a strategic maneuver that backfires, whereas "making a mistake" generally refers to an unintentional error or misjudgment.