the wrong foot

the wrong foot

A bad start. Often used in the phrases "get/got off on the wrong foot" or "start (off) on the wrong foot," applied to situations in which something goes or has gone awry at the very beginning. I know we got off on the wrong foot when I was a half hour late to the interview, but I promise that I will always be on time once I start working here.
See also: foot, wrong
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • foot
  • foot up
  • be caught on the wrong foot
  • be hand and foot to (one)
  • on foot
  • fleet of foot
  • my foot
  • My foot!
  • foot it
  • shoot oneself in the foot, to
References in classic literature
Sometimes she was at her fort, issuing commands; sometimes she was careering over the plain at the head of her men; sometimes she was training her horse; once she said, reprovingly, "You are giving me the wrong foot; give me the left - don't you know it is good-bye?"
Horses Tale
They had stepped off on the wrong foot. Why, they really hadn't been even acquainted.
Dust
Alan Peter Cayetano to extend the term of congressmen is 'starting on the wrong foot, or delivering the wrong message.'
Lacson: Cayetano 'starting on wrong foot or delivering wrong message'
"You started your natural role on the boat you got on the wrong foot, you came down and got on the wrong foot gain.
Strictly Come Dancing: Lauren Steadman in tears after making massive mistake; Strictly Come Dancing's Paralympic champion struggled to hold back her emotions after receiving harsh criticism from the judges
In a pre-open research note, the analyst said Hologic "has started off on the wrong foot this year, a clear disappointment," and it is unclear to him that resetting the guide changes the fact that Cynosure does not appear to have a near-term catalyst to stabilize the segment, nor does he have conviction it can achieve its goal of double-digit growth anytime soon.
Hologic downgraded to Hold at Canaccord
27 (ANI): United States Donald Trump has again been caught on the wrong foot, this time at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
Trump booed at Davos summit
I probably went with the wrong foot or should have thrown my head at it.
SHAW HAVING A TESTING SPELL; InIn aassssoocciiaattiioonn wwitithh In association with
West Brom new boy Salomon Rondon gets off on the wrong foot with strike partner 4.
THE MAIL ONLINE
Bangor got off on the wrong foot yet again, losing their own scrum.
Brace is the difference in a hard-fought battle; DIV THREE NORTH Bangor 22 Flint 15
But she's on the wrong foot and carrying a handbag.
THEY SAID WHAT?
HOLBY CITY (8pm BBC1) PAUL O'Grady pops in to Holby tonight as a patient who gets off on the wrong foot with Chrissie.
WE LOVE DRAMA
Despite getting off on the wrong foot, Marks admits that he has nothing but praise for a gaffer he's managed to prove wrong.
Lie boss gets top Marks; WEST
In the case of Cromwell Lane, he decided that the wrong foot had been nominated; deleted them from the plan, and had to nominate a variety of other "feet" to make up the numbers.
Where fault really lies; Letters
"We are a young country and we have started on the wrong foot and we've been on the wrong foot for long years and we're still on the wrong foot.
Lebanon expects to receive approval for WTO accession, 'but much work remains'
Boro's youngsters got off on the wrong foot as Wanderers stormed into a 2-0 lead within the first 10 minutes.
Football; Sports World