ボタンの掛かけ違ちがい

expression, noun

getting off on the wrong foot; being at cross-purposes from the start

Idiomatic expression derived from the literal image of misbuttoning a shirt. Used when a relationship, plan, or communication goes wrong from the very beginning due to a small initial mistake or misunderstanding.

• 最さい初しょの説せつ明めいが足たりなくて、プロジェクトはボタンの掛かけ違ちがいから大だい混こん乱らんになった。

  Because the initial explanation was insufficient, the project fell into chaos from getting off on the wrong foot.

• あの二人ふたりはボタンの掛かけ違ちがいでずっと仲なかが悪わるいままだ。

  Those two have remained on bad terms due to a misunderstanding from the very start.