cross paths

Meaning

This expression means to meet someone by chance, unexpectedly, or to have your lives intersect in some way. It can refer to a physical encounter or a career/life connection. The tone is neutral, reflective, and sometimes pleasantly surprised.

Examples

• I never expected to cross paths with my old high school teacher at a conference in Chicago.

  I never expected to cross paths with my old high school teacher at a conference in Chicago.

• We first crossed paths back in 2018 when we were both working for the same charity.

  We first crossed paths back in 2018 when we were both working for the same charity.

• It was a pleasure crossing paths with you, and I hope we can collaborate again in the future.

  It was a pleasure crossing paths with you, and I hope we can collaborate again in the future.

• If our paths cross again, I'll make sure to buy you a coffee to say thank you.

  If our paths cross again, I'll make sure to buy you a coffee to say thank you.

• They crossed paths briefly during their travels in South America but didn't keep in touch.

  They crossed paths briefly during their travels in South America but didn't keep in touch.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I met him when we crossed our paths in London.

  ✓ I met him when we crossed paths in London.

  Do not use possessive pronouns like "our" or "their" before "paths" when using it as a verb phrase; it is simply "cross paths".

• ✗ We crossed roads at the supermarket yesterday.

  ✓ We crossed paths at the supermarket yesterday.

  The idiom specifically uses "paths", not "roads" or "streets".

Related Expressions

Practice

• It’s a small world! I never thought we would ___ in a tiny village like this.

  💡 Meet unexpectedly.

  Show answer

  cross paths

• Although they worked in the same building, they rarely ___ because of their different shifts.

  💡 Met each other by chance.

  Show answer

  crossed paths