Meaning & use
cross the aisle
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Meaning
phraseidiom
For a politician, to work with members of the opposing party, especially in a legislature.
Grammar: Used as an intransitive verb phrase; often followed by 'to do something' or 'on an issue': She crossed the aisle to support the bill.
Patterns
- cross the aisle to do something
- cross the aisle on something
- cross the aisle and do something
The senator crossed the aisle to vote for the other party's healthcare plan.
Both leaders promised to cross the aisle and find a compromise on the budget.
Crossing the aisle can be risky for a politician facing reelection.
Common combinations
- willing to cross the aisle
- She is known as a senator who is willing to cross the aisle.
- cross the aisle to support something
- He crossed the aisle to support the education bill.
- cross the aisle on an issue
- They crossed the aisle on the issue of climate change.
- refuse to cross the aisle
- The party leader refused to cross the aisle and negotiate.
Synonyms and how they differ
- reach across the aisle
- A very similar idiom that emphasizes the effort to make contact with the other side; often used in the same political context.
- cooperate
- A general word meaning to work together; it does not specifically suggest working with a political opponent.
Opposites
Practice
Which sentence uses the idiom 'cross the aisle' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The idiom 'cross the aisle' means to cooperate with the opposing political party, so it fits the senator example. The other options use 'cross the aisle' literally, which is not the idiomatic meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cross the aisle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.