get the wrong end of the stick
idiomPart ofstick
get the wrong end of the stick — idiom
1. to completely misunderstand a situation, statement, or someone's intentions.
1.idiom
Definition
to completely misunderstand a situation, statement, or someone's intentions.
Example
When Bilal said he needed a lift, Yael got the wrong end of the stick and thought he wanted a new job.
The journalist got the wrong end of the stick and reported the story backwards.