wrong number
An incorrect notion or understanding concerning a person or situation.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I think you have the wrong number about my plans.”
“If you believe I am the one who started this argument, you have the wrong number.”
“The detective realized he had the wrong number regarding the suspect's motives after discovering the hidden evidence.”
- 01
bark up the wrong tree
To take the wrong approach to a situation; to follow a false lead; to attempt to solve a problem using mistaken assumptions about its true nature.
- 02
call someone's number
To focus on someone, asking them to prove themselves.
- 03
do a number on
To damage, especially to a significant extent; to treat harshly; to produce ill effects in.
- 04
do somebody wrong
To treat someone badly or unfairly.
- 05
fall into the wrong hands
To become the possession of, or be discovered by, an unfriendly third party.
- 06
get into the wrong hands
To fall into the wrong hands.
- 07
get out of bed on the wrong side
To start the day in a bad mood for no apparent reason.
- 08
get up on the wrong side of the bed
To feel irritable; to be in a bad mood; to have a bad day from the start, for no particular reason.
Last updated August 10, 2026