take the wrong way
(Redirected from take something the wrong way)
English edit
Verb edit
take the wrong way (third-person singular simple present takes the wrong way, present participle taking the wrong way, simple past took the wrong way, past participle taken the wrong way)
- (transitive, set phrase) To misunderstand (something), especially in a case of mistakenly regarding someone's behavior or remarks as offensive or hostile.
- 1906, George Gissing, “The Salt of the Earth”, in The House of Cobwebs and Other Stories:
- "[N]ow you do see what I mean, don't you, now? And you won't take it the wrong way? No, I was sure you wouldn't. There, now, we'll shake 'ands over it, and be as good friends as ever."
- 2000 December 15, “A Pledge to Change How Floridians Vote”, in New York Times, retrieved 14 April 2015:
- Mr. Feeney said that it was all just a joke, and that he hoped nobody took it the wrong way. "I apologize to the extent that my remarks offended anyone," he said.
- 2006 February 12, Marc Peyser, “The Truthiness Teller”, in Newsweek, retrieved 14 April 2015:
- Colbert asked him about his three failed attempts to climb Mount Everest. Colbert: "Don't take this the wrong way, but doesn't that make you a quitter?"
Translations edit
to misunderstand — see misunderstand