Idiom
get off on the wrong foot
Meanings
To start a relationship, interaction, or situation badly.
Definition
To start a relationship or situation badly, often because of a misunderstanding or poor first impression.
To get off on the wrong foot means to begin something in an awkward or negative way. It often happens when people misunderstand each other or make a bad first impression. The phrase is commonly used about relationships, meetings, jobs, projects, or conversations.
Examples
- I think we got off on the wrong foot when I arrived late to the meeting.
- They got off on the wrong foot, but now they get along really well.
- Don’t worry if you got off on the wrong foot with your new manager.
- We got off on the wrong foot because of a misunderstanding in our first email.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idioms
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- down to the wire If something goes down to the wire, it is decided at the very last moment before the deadline or fi…
- lost the plot To become confused or unreasonable and no longer understand what is happening or what matters.
- ducks in a row To have everything organized and ready in the correct order.