Idioms

take something the wrong way

This page is about the idiom take something the wrong way

Meaning

If you take something the wrong way, you misunderstand what someone says and think they're being critical when they aren't.

For example

  • Be careful when talking to teenagers as they can be very sensitive and take things the wrong way easily.

  • Jodie's teacher said teaching her was a challenge. He meant that she was very smart and it was difficult to keep her interested because she learns quicker than her classmates. But Jodie took it the wrong way and thought he meant she was stupid and difficult to teach.

Quick Quiz

Gary took what I said the wrong way, and he looked

a. really happy

b. very excited

c. quite upset
a) really happy b) very excited c) quite upset

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey