Wrong end of the stick

An English idiom meaning to get something wrong by one's approach by making stupid assumptions. To think that something you've been offered is the opposite of what it is. To confuse left and right. To turn an ability into a disability, a solution into a problem.

The wrong end, as opposed to the right end of the stick.

It goes back to the medieval, when people use staffs, or a general purpose stick. One end would be held by its owner.

The right end of the stick is the driving seat, the nice, clean, comfy end.

The wrong end is the dirty, ugly pig-swill stirring, beating-dealing, non-walking-enhancing end.

Picking up another's stick by the wrong end is the sign of an idiot, it often signifies a favour turned into a curse by the recipient by of their foolish eagerness to play the game.

"Nice Rottweiler" said Rufus. I told Rufus the guard dog was having a bad day today, had been growling a lot. What did he do? He went skipping right up to it, tried to cheer it up "oooh poor doggie" and it bit him in the face. Totally got the wrong end of the stick.

by Horton Cum-Studley February 6, 2012

please note this does not account for all members of the minorities listed above,as in meaning not all black/white/black-wannabe's are like that,but to be fully truthfull alot are,and thats whats wrong with our world nowadays..

A really shitty use of the word tag

If you clicked this, you know

by Freak July 30, 2003

wrong end of the shaft

Idiom, literally meaning: one the receiving end of someone's penis (in slang shaft) rather than the person who possesses the penis (again shaft). In usage this means someone getting fucked figuratively rather than doing the figurative fucking (in which fucking is the preferred position).

Often used in relation to a business transaction which is one-sided.

While uncommon this idiom can be used in a literal sense and would generally refer to not only the act of being on the receiving side but also of a penetrative act that is disliked or not enjoyable (e.g. anal sex, double penetration..)

Figurative:
"I sold my truck for $2K to some idiot."
"Oh man, that shitbox? He was definitely on the wrong end of the shaft on that one."

Literal:
"James and I DP'd this chick last night.. man, was she on the wrong end of the shaft."

by cpt_beef November 19, 2011

been through the wringer

went through difficult, rough times

she looks like she's been through the wringer a few times

by hello2216 February 7, 2009

Up The Wrongun

the act of a man sticking his "thingy" in a chicks shitter if he's one lucky son of a bitch for havin a mrs that lets him get away with that sorta thang !!

God intended for women to take it up the arse avery once in a while or he never woulda put the 2 holes that close together that us blokes could make the mistake in the first place

Wendy: i think my arse grapes are playing up again
Snarfy: nvm, let me do you up the wrongun n poke em back in with my "thingy"

by Snarfy June 7, 2009

Tits in the wringer

The act of getting all upset

Before you get your tits in the wringer,just listen to ehat i have to say.

by C.R. DUMAS October 6, 2005

Up the wrongun

Anal sex. From 'up the wrong one' in reference to the anus as opposed to the vagina.

She takes it up the wrong'in

by JC October 19, 2004