English idioms and expressions are a great way to make your English sound more advanced but the important thing is to use them correctly, otherwise it would be better not to use them! So my idioms and expressions posts are there to help you use these chunks of language in a way that sounds natural. Today’s post will help you use ‘get the wrong end of the stick’ correctly.
What does it mean?
To get the wrong end of the stick means to misunderstand a situation. It’s a lovely, natural expression to use if you need to tell somebody that they have misunderstood something they saw or heard.
How can I use ‘get the wrong end of the stick’ in a conversation?
Perhaps you are organising a surprise birthday party for your boyfriend so you have been sending secret text messages to his best friend. He sees that you have been contacting his friend and assumes that you are having an affair. Of course he has got the wrong end of the stick and there is a completely innocent explanation.
You boyfriend accuses you of having an affair and you say:
“Don’t be crazy! You’ve totally got the wrong end of the stick! If you must know, we are organising a birthday party for you!”
English writing challenge
Do you like this English expression? Can you think of any other situations where you might use it? Pop your ideas in the comments box below and I will check your writing for you 🙂
6 Responses
Hii Nicki I m Manvir from India (Punjab) today is my first day on your pin it’s very useful thank you for your efforts
Thanks for the feedback Manvir! I’m so pleased you found it useful 🙂
This one is fairly new to me out of the four in your newsletter. I’m having a hard time to find an example but I totally get it and love it! I’m happy to have a new idiom in my vocabulary! Today this was the ice on the cake for me. 😉
Hooray, I’m so happy that you like it Kamilla and you’ve been able to expand your vocabulary bank! Yes, I think it’s tricky to find an example off the top of your head but I’m sure this idiom will come to you the next time you encounter a misunderstanding!
Thanks so much for the lovely feedback 😊
Hi Nicki! Here is an example I experienced myself 😊
When my husband and I were about 1 month from our Wedding he changed his habits and began coming home late. As a matter of fact, I thought he was getting cold feet about the wedding. However, on my hen do my friends showed me a very romantic video he had been preparing for me. Then, I realised that I had gotten the wrong end of the stick.
That’s such a brilliant example Monica!! You’ve also used some great vocabulary (getting cold feet, hen do). I’m so pleased it was just a misunderstanding, what a lovely surprise from your husband! 🙂