Meaning of cross the aisle | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To vote, unite, or otherwise co-operate with members of another political party in order to achieve governmental or political action.
   US, idiomatic
2. Of a member of a parliament, to resign from one's political party and join another party, resulting in moving from one's currently assigned desk or seat in the legislative chamber to a new desk or seat physically located with the other members of one's new party.
   British, Canada, idiomatic

Examples

“It's voters who seem to want Republicans and Democrats in the next Congress to cross the aisle and try something different in Iraq.”

“2008: Fareed Zakaria, The Post-American World, Chapter VI The British prime minister doesn't need any support from the opposition party; he has a ruling majority by definition. The American system, by contrast, is one of shared power, overlapping functions, and checks and balances. Progress requires broad coalitions between the two parties and politicians who will cross the aisle.”

“Liberal members pounded their desks in delight as Social Crediter Horace (Bud) Olson (Medicine Hat) picked up his books and papers and crossed the aisle to take the last seat in the third row on the Government side. This symbolic gesture completed his defection.”

“A Conservative member of Parliament crossed the aisle this weekend to join the resurgent Labor Party of Tony Blair.”

“When asked by Duffy about rumours that he was being heavily courted by the Tories to cross the aisle and join them, Kilgour replied that they've opened "No doors."”

“After Stronach's 2005 defection to Paul Martin's Liberals . . . . [a]t least one Tory MP openly called her a "whore" for crossing the aisle.”

CEFR level