clash of cultures

Meaning

This phrase refers to a conflict, misunderstanding, or disagreement that happens when people or organizations with very different values, beliefs, or corporate cultures interact. In business, it often describes the friction during mergers or when international teams work together.

Examples

• When the traditional bank acquired the tech startup, there was an immediate clash of cultures.

  When the traditional bank acquired the tech startup, there was an immediate clash of cultures.

• The project failed not because of the budget, but because of a fundamental clash of cultures between the partners.

  The project failed not because of the budget, but because of a fundamental clash of cultures between the partners.

• Managing a global team requires sensitivity to avoid a clash of cultures.

  Managing a global team requires sensitivity to avoid a clash of cultures.

• We experienced a bit of a clash of cultures when we switched from a hierarchical structure to a flat one.

  We experienced a bit of a clash of cultures when we switched from a hierarchical structure to a flat one.

• The documentary highlights the clash of cultures between corporate greed and local community values.

  The documentary highlights the clash of cultures between corporate greed and local community values.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ There was a cultures clash during the meeting.

  ✓ There was a clash of cultures during the meeting.

  The standard, natural collocation is 'clash of cultures' or 'cultural clash', not 'cultures clash'.

• ✗ We had a clash of cultures about the project deadline.

  ✓ We had a clash of cultures regarding work-life balance.

  A 'clash of cultures' refers to deep-seated differences in values or systems, not a simple disagreement about a specific task or deadline.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The merger of the two companies led to a major ___ regarding working hours.

  💡 Conflict due to different organizational habits.

  Show answer

  clash of cultures

• To prevent a ___ in our multinational office, we are hosting diversity training.

  💡 Disagreement stemming from different backgrounds.

  Show answer

  clash of cultures