on the wrong foot

Meaning

(especially in expressions such as 'start off on the wrong foot') In a state of misunderstanding or inadvertent poor relationship with someone.
My relationship with my neighbours started off on the wrong foot, but we're very close now.

In a disadvantaged situation, or following a mistaken course of action.
In this legal battle we were on the wrong foot from the start.

Source: en.wiktionary.org

Antonyms

on the right foot

Examples

A regret understood by no one: the regret to be a pessimist. It's not easy to be on the wrong foot with life. Emil Cioran

How can you interview somebody about something fairly technical if you start on the wrong foot by not even knowing his name? Trevor McDonald

Words in the phrase

on the wrong foot

Close letter words and terms

on the wind on the wing on the wings of the wind on the wrong side of history on the wrong side of the blanket on the wrong side of the law