cross wires

Meanings

Verb

• To cause difficulty; to interact in a way that generates conflict.
• To interact in a way that causes confusion or interference.

Noun

• Synonym of reticle

Origin

• From the way two electrical wires that cross can create a short circuit.
• Possibly a back formation from get one's wires crossed.
• From the use of fine wires placed perpendicular to each other in the optical pieces of telescopes.