take the wrong way

present singular third person takes the wrong way · participle present taking the wrong way · past took the wrong way · participle past taken the wrong way

1. transitiveset phraseTo misunderstand (something), especially in a case of mistakenly regarding someone's behavior or remarks as offensive or hostile.

   Colbert asked him about his three failed attempts to climb Mount Everest. Colbert: "Don't take this the wrong way, but doesn't that make you a quitter?"

   2006 February 12, Marc Peyser, “The Truthiness Teller”, in Newsweek, retrieved 14 Apr 2015

   2 more examples

   "[N]ow you do see what I mean, don't you, now? And you won't take it the wrong way? No, I was sure you wouldn't. There, now, we'll shake 'ands over it, and be as good friends as ever."

   1906, George Gissing, “The Salt of the Earth”, in The House of Cobwebs and Other Stories

   Mr. Feeney said that it was all just a joke, and that he hoped nobody took it the wrong way. "I apologize to the extent that my remarks offended anyone," he said.

   2000 December 15, “A Pledge to Change How Floridians Vote”, in New York Times, retrieved 14 Apr 2015