on the wrong foot

prepositional phrase

In a state of misunderstanding or inadvertent poor relationship with someone.

“In this legal battle we were on the wrong foot from the start.”

Opposite
on the right foot
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Meanings

prepositional phrase
  1. especiallyIn a state of misunderstanding or inadvertent poor relationship with someone.

    My relationship with my neighbours started off on the wrong foot, but we're very close now.

  2. In a disadvantaged situation, or following a mistaken course of action.

    In this legal battle we were on the wrong foot from the start.

Synonyms & antonyms

Opposite
on the right foot
Cite this entry
APA

on the wrong foot. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/on%20the%20wrong%20foot

MLA

“on the wrong foot.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/on%20the%20wrong%20foot. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “on the wrong foot,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/on%20the%20wrong%20foot.

Source: on the wrong foot on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.