at the crossroads

Idioms

Also, at a crossroads. At a point of decision or a critical juncture, as in Because of the proposed merger, the company is standing at the crossroads. This phrase, based on the importance accorded to the intersection of two roads since ancient times, has also been used figuratively just about as long. In the 1500s Erasmus quoted from the Greek Theognis's Elegies (c. 600 b.c.): “I stand at the crossroads.”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“They are at the crossroads, self-determination versus safety. When can you cross the line and take over?” she says.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the crossroads of the County Road and Yellow Dog lay a scattering of stores and houses.

From Literature

Pa started the pickup and we turned onto the County Road, waving to the small crowd that had gathered at the crossroads.

From Literature

Often at the crossroads of memory and artistry, Equihua’s story-rich designs start with a vision.

From Los Angeles Times

The company went public at the beginning of October and has positioned itself at the crossroads of two crazes: the build-out of more data centers to power artificial intelligence and a potential U.S. nuclear-power resurgence.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023