Meaning & use
got my wires crossed
Last updated
Meanings
phraseidiominformal
Became confused about plans or information, especially when two people misunderstand each other.
Grammar: The subject changes with the person: 'I got my wires crossed', 'we got our wires crossed'.
Patterns
- get one's wires crossed
- have one's wires crossed
We got our wires crossed and arrived at different restaurants.
I think I got my wires crossed about the meeting time.
They got their wires crossed and both sent the same report.
phraseidiominformal
Made a mistake because of a mix-up in communication or thinking.
Grammar: Often used to explain a small error without blaming anyone.
Patterns
- get one's wires crossed about something
Sorry, I got my wires crossed and called the wrong client.
The team got its wires crossed and ordered too many tickets.
Common combinations
- get one's wires crossed
- Let's double-check the date so we don't get our wires crossed.
- have one's wires crossed
- It seems we have our wires crossed about who is bringing the food.
- wires got crossed
- Somehow the wires got crossed and everyone showed up early.
Synonyms and how they differ
- misunderstand
- This is a plain verb and more formal; 'got my wires crossed' is a colorful idiom for a mix-up.
- mix up
- This can mean confusing things or people; 'got my wires crossed' focuses on a communication mistake.
Commonly confused: got my wires crossed or crossed wires?
got my wires crossed vs crossed wires
'Crossed wires' is the noun phrase for the mix-up itself; 'got my wires crossed' is the full action phrase.
Practice
We ___ and I waited at the wrong station.
Choose one answer.
'Got our wires crossed' is the correct fixed order. The other options change the word order or verb form and are not used in this idiom.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “got my wires crossed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.