Meaning
To begin a relationship or activity in a negative or unfortunate way.
Primary Function
Expressing a poor beginning.
Communicative Purpose
To acknowledge or explain an initial negative impression.
Pattern
get off on the wrong foot
Core Structure
get off on the wrong foot
Função primária
Expressing a poor beginning.
Propósito comunicativo
To acknowledge or explain an initial negative impression.
Situações de gatilho
First meetings, miscommunications, initial interactions.
Contextos
Workplace, social gatherings, professional introductions.
Padrão
get off on the wrong foot
Estrutura central
get off on the wrong foot
Slots de substituição
none
Colocados típicos
- don't want to
- really
- sort of
Substituições comuns
- start off on the wrong foot
Erros comuns
get on the wrong foot (missing 'off')
Similar / contraste
a rocky start
Interferências
Not about feet.
Família do chunk
- Beginnings idioms
Nuance
Unfortunate, but fixable.
Efeito pragmático
Mitigates criticism by framing the issue as an early, correctable mistake.
Dica de memória
Stepping into a new room with the wrong foot first.
Nota
This idiom emphasizes the importance of a good first impression in both professional and social settings.
Upgrade path
commence interactions unfavourably (formal)
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