send the wrong message

send the wrong message

To do or say something that communicates a meaning different or contrary to what one desires, either implicitly or explicitly. The government's decision, while innocuous at face value, sends the wrong message that business that don't have a religious affiliation will be treated more preferentially than those that do. I know you're trying to foster better workplace relations between employees, but I think forcing people to sit in assigned spots during lunch might send the wrong message.
See also: message, send, wrong
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • send the right message
  • watch the clock
  • worldly
  • worldly desires
  • earthly
  • earthly desires
  • (one's) jam
  • run (one's) own show
  • run one's own show
  • careful
References in periodicals archive
The creation of a separate Department for Overseas Filipinos might send the wrong message, Sen.
Separate OFW deparment may send 'wrong message' - Villanueva
These sentences send the wrong message about knife crime.
'We will not rest until we have justice for Yousef' family of tragic schoolboy's vow after appeal bid rejected
Yousef 's sister, Jade Akoum, said they were disappointed, adding: "These sentences send the wrong message."
Yousef family vow to fight appeal snub
Silence and failure to do justice for Echesa will definitely send the wrong message. It will also fuel the rumour that there is something wrong with him as a person or about his conduct.
COMMENT: Echesa deserves fair treatment, fair hearing and the facts
Also, excessive focus on security measures are bound to send the wrong message to leading foreign teams like Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa who have not toured Pakistan since 2009.
PSL in Karachi
The Church of Scotland didn't think the new range was appropriate and warned it could send the wrong message to children.
@dailyrecord
Selling Perez will send the wrong message if he's serious about bringing glory.
Don't sell Perez please
Hartlepool's Labour MP Iain Wright said Evans was a "pariah" and signing him would send the wrong message to young fans.
Backlash over club's interest in signing rapist
The judge handed down an immediate prison term for the charge of culpable homicide, saying she believed a non-custodial sentence would "send the wrong message".
Five years - but he'll be be out within months
The Press Club is of the opinion that asking Indian journalists to leave Pakistan will send the wrong message and only help hardliners on both sides of the border.
Indian journalists in Pakistan being forced to leave
But a week later Ms Napier responded by saying his suggestion could send the wrong message to staff, who are working to keep the force area safe.
Police chief set to 'stand down' in wake of row; Gwent Chief Constable 'retiring' after commissioner clashes
I understand certain pictures can send the wrong message, but the players were very professional.
'Latics were pros on training week' HUDDERSFIELD v WIGAN TOMORROW 3.55PM
This is a request to Voice FM to stop broadcasting bedtime stories which send the wrong message to children.
Morally wrong
Serbian Football Association president Tomislav Karadzic said on Friday that he will ask UEFA to have the game staged again but Italian Football Federation general director Antonello Valentini believes that would send the wrong message.
Italians rule out Serbia replay