to get the wrong end of the stick meaning?

Question

What is the meaning of "to get the wrong end of the stick" idiom?

Answer 1

 

Idiom Conjugations:

 

Answer 2

Gerund Form of the Idiom:

Getting the wrong end of the stick may lead to all sorts of confusion.
 

Answer 3

Idiom Usage:

To get the wrong end of the stick can be used formally or informally.
 

Answer 4

Idiom Scenario 2:

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Paul is just arriving home from the grocery store ...

Paul: Hi Honey. I'm home.
Claire: Did you get the "five" carrots I asked for?
Paul: No, I got the one "fine" carrot you asked for and it's a beauty.
Claire: I clearly asked you for "five" carrots.
Paul: Sorry. The cell phone reception was terrible. I got the wrong end of the stick.
Claire: Could you please go back to the store and get the other four carrots?
Paul: Sure thing Honey.

 

 
 
 

Idiom Scenario 3:

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Sally and Nancy are chatting ...

Sally: You'll never guess what I saw this afternoon.
Nancy: Do tell!
Sally: I think Joe is cheating on his wife. I saw Joe at the mall. He was hugging a strange woman and then they went into a hotel together.
Nancy: I think you may have gotten the wrong end of the stick. Joe's sister is in town visiting.
Sally: Oops!

 

 

Answer 5

Idiom Scenario 1:

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Two friends, Jennifer and George are talking on their cell phones ...

Jennifer: Where are you George? I've been waiting for a half an hour.
George: I'm in the library finishing up a paper. Where are you?
Jennifer: I'm sitting in the restaurant.
George: But we weren't supposed to meet until seven o'clock.
Jennifer: No! We decided on six o'clock.
George: I'm so sorry. I must have got the wrong end of the stick. I'll be right there.

 

 

Answer 6

Idiom Definition:

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"to get the wrong end of the stick"

to misunderstand what someone has said or to misunderstand a situation

Synonyms: confused, deceived, misinformed, double-talked, false, ill-advised, inaccurate, misdirected, misinformed, misguided, misled