across the aisle

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   involving cooperation between opposing political parties, especially in a legislature.

   Grammar: Often used after verbs like work, reach, or appeal: work across the aisle.

   Patterns

   • work across the aisle
   • reach across the aisle
   • appeal across the aisle

   The senator is known for working across the aisle to pass important bills.

   The president called for lawmakers to reach across the aisle and find a compromise.

   Her speech appealed across the aisle, winning support from both parties.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   on the other side of a passage between rows of seats, as in a theater or airplane.

   Grammar: Used literally for physical position; often follows a verb like sit or be.

   Patterns

   • sit across the aisle
   • be across the aisle from someone

   She sat across the aisle from me on the flight to Chicago.

   The empty seat across the aisle was soon taken by a late passenger.

Common combinations

work across the aisle

The two senators worked across the aisle to draft the new law.

reach across the aisle

The mayor urged the council to reach across the aisle on the budget.

appeal across the aisle

Her moderate views appeal across the aisle.

support from across the aisle

The bill received unexpected support from across the aisle.

Synonyms and how they differ

bipartisan

This adjective describes policies or actions supported by both parties, while 'across the aisle' often describes the act of cooperation itself.

cross-party

Common in British English for cooperation between parties; 'across the aisle' is more American and can also be literal.

Opposites

Word family

aisle noun

A passage between rows of seats or shelves.

Commonly confused: across the aisle or isle?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “across the aisle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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