Phrase guide

wrong end of the stick

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A wrong idea about something, a misconception.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • As usual, the newspapers got hold of the wrong end of the stick and stated the whole problem in reverse.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.