reached across the aisle
Sought opposing support
Reached across the aisle describes making an effort to cooperate or find common ground with political opponents.
The phrase comes from legislative chambers where opposing parties sit on opposite sides of a central aisle.
Politicians who reach across the aisle seek bipartisan agreement rather than strict party-line positions.
The senator reached across the aisle to craft a compromise bill.
The expression now extends beyond politics to any situation involving collaboration with adversaries or rivals.
- common groundPoints of agreement
- negotiation tacticsStrategic approaches during deals
- working togetherActing in concert
- bipartisanshipCooperation between political rivals
- political compromiseNegotiated settlement between factions
mediation · active listening · open-mindedness · compromise · meeting of minds · reconciliation · mutual respect · trust-building · building bridges · intellectual humility · empathy · mutual understanding · conflict management · treaty-making · peace talks · problem-solving · cross-cultural understanding · international relations
reached across the aislestonewalled
Deliberately unresponsive
party-line vote · hyperpartisanship · obstructed · partisan gridlock · filibustered
reached across the aisleburned bridges
Destroyed relationships permanently
reached across the aislepreached to the choir
Advocated to supporters needlessly