What does wrong end of the stick mean?

Origin of "the wrong end of the stick" etymologyslang. If someone has the wrong end of the stick itmeans they've misunderstood something. If they've got theshitty end of the stick it means they've got a baddeal in some bargain or share-out.

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Considering this, where does wrong end of the stick come from?

This expression refers to a walking stick heldupside down, which does not help a walker much. Itoriginated in the 1400s as worse end of the staff andchanged to the current wording only in the late 1800s. Also seeshort end of the stick.

Likewise, what is a wrong end? be on the wrong end of (something) To have an unfavorable or problematic relationship withsomething and thus endure negative consequences or effects. Unlessyou want to be a police suspect, you can't be seen with me, nowthat I'm on the wrong end of the law.

Similarly, what does raw end of the stick mean?

The inferior part, the worse side of an unequal deal.For example, Helen got the short end of the stick when shewas assigned another week of night duty. The precise analogy inthis term, first recorded in the 1930s, has been lost.

What does it mean to wrong foot someone?

wrong-foot somebody (British English) toput somebody in a difficult or embarrassing situation bydoing something that they do not expect It was an attempt towrong-foot the opposition. His low passwrong-footed the other team's defence.

Related Question Answers

Are on the same wavelength?

on the same wavelength. If two people are on thesame wavelength, they find it easy to understand each otherand they tend to agree, because they share similar interests oropinions. We could complete each other's sentences because we wereon the same wavelength.

What does I ll be darned mean?

Definition of I'll be darned. chiefly US,informal. —used to show that one is very surprised aboutsomething Well I'll be darned!

What does the idiom have the same wavelength?

be on the same wavelength. (of two or morepeople) to think in a similar way and to understand each otherwell: What makes the problem worse is that Howard and Tina are noton the same wavelength about how to deal withit.

Where did the term get on the stick come from?

"The expression – meaning toget busy, get going, or get down to work– dates from the early 1900s and comes from the ideaof getting a car going by using the gearshift, orstick, according to The American Heritage Dictionary ofIdioms."

What does it mean to work at cross purposes?

Definition of cross-purpose. : apurpose usually unintentionally contrary to anotherpurpose of oneself or of someone or something else—usually used in plural the two were always working atcross-purposes.

Can't make heads or tails?

The definition of "can't make heads or tails ofit" is: something is too difficult or complicated for someone tounderstand.

What does it mean when someone says I ll be damned?

Definition of I'll be damned. 1—used to show that one is very surprised about something WellI'll be damned!

Do your end of the bargain?

To do as was promised in an agreement orbargain; to carry through with what one agreed to do.Also worded as "keep one's end of the bargain up." OK, I'vedelivered the cash as you instructed. Now you have to keep yourend of the bargain!

What is a short end?

(Learn how and when to remove this template message) Ashort end is a partial roll of unexposed film stock leftover during a motion picture production and kept for later use. Theshort end may be sold to a film dealer who will resell it toproductions who are in a position to use it.

Will knock your socks off?

blow/knock your socks off. If something knocksyour socks off, you find it extremely exciting or good: I'mgoing to take you to a restaurant that'll knockyour socks off.

What does at the sharp end mean?

If you say that someone is at the sharp end of aparticular activity or type of work, you mean that they areinvolved in the most difficult or dangerous aspects of it. [mainlyBritish] He is a real estate broker at the sharp end of atough and exacting business.

What does short end of the straw mean?

-Most often used in the expression to get the shortend of the stick, this means that a person received theworse part of a deal or got shafted.