IdiomBody & Senses
English
Englishstart off on the wrong foot
Meaning: To begin something badly.
Example: “He started off on the wrong foot by forgetting the client's name.”
Origin: The opposite of getting off on the right foot, and like it it goes back to the old superstition that the left foot is unlucky. The phrase is common from the 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
Italian: con il piede sbagliato Literally: With the wrong foot
More English idioms
- on the ropes Close to defeat or collapse.
- hit rock bottom To reach the lowest possible point.
- move with the times To keep up with change instead of clinging to old ways.
- beat the drum for something To promote something loudly and publicly.
- any old how Carelessly, with no attention to doing it properly.
- take to one's heels To run away.
Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words
Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.
- Jugaad A creative, frugal fix — a clever improvised solution that gets things done with whatever…
- Cafuné The tender act of running your fingers through someone's hair — an intimate gesture of lo…
- Shinrin-yoku Immersing yourself in the atmosphere of a forest — soaking up its calm through all your s…
Keep exploring