Get off on the Wrong Foot.
English
idiom
To start something badly or on the wrong note.
Trusted by1M+English learners & teachers worldwide
To start something badly or on the wrong note.
Trusted by1M+English learners & teachers worldwide
To start badly and leave a poor first impression.
When you get off on the wrong foot, that first bad feeling is hard to shake.
It is used when the opening of a friendship or a job does not go well.
"Start on the Wrong Note"
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To begin something in an unpleasant or uncomfortable way
"Make a Bad Impression"
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To cause someone to form a negative opinion of you early on
"Get off on the Wrong Foot"
—
To begin a relationship or situation badly, creating a difficult first impression
The client meeting felt tense — I think we got off on the wrong foot somehow.
I noticed that too. Let's send a follow-up email to reset the tone and clarify our approach.
How's the new roommate situation going?
We got off on the wrong foot, but I think we're sorting it out.
I got off on the wrong foot with my professor by missing the first class.
Go to office hours and introduce yourself — you can turn that around.
