get one's wires crossed

Definition

To get confused or mixed up about another person's intentions; to misunderstand one another.

Etymology

From the early days of telephony, when touching wires could reroute conversations.

Example Sentences

• "We got our wires crossed so I went to the bus station and she headed to the railway station."
• ""TELEPHONE MATCH, 1949. White gets his wires crossed from trying to call on two variations at once and picks the wrong number in Black who cuts him off short.""