get off on the wrong foot
Meaning
To start a situation or relationship badly, creating early problems or a poor first impression.
Origin
From the older superstition and metaphor that beginning a journey by stepping out with the “wrong” foot brings bad luck; figuratively, it means an unlucky or poor start.
Notes
Used for relationships, projects, meetings, etc. when the beginning goes poorly. Common, informal-neutral, and often refers to first impressions.
Examples
-
I think we got off on the wrong foot at the meeting, but we cleared things up afterward.
-
They got off on the wrong foot when he forgot her name, and the dinner stayed awkward.
-
If you get off on the wrong foot with your new boss, it can take months to rebuild trust.
-
We got off on the wrong foot because I misread his tone in the email.
-
The project got off on the wrong foot after the first deadline was missed.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually appears as “get off on the wrong foot” (or “start off on the wrong foot”). Tense changes: got/gets/will get off. Often with a subject: “We got off on the wrong foot.”
Synonyms
- start off badly
- get off to a bad start
- start on the wrong foot
Antonyms
- get off to a good start
- start off on the right foot