ボタンの掛かけ違ちがえ

expression, noun

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

Idiomatic expression likening a fundamental misunderstanding or misalignment to misbuttoning a shirt from the first button. Often used when initial communication or assumptions go wrong.

See also: ボタンの掛け違い

• 最さい初しょの説せつ明めいでボタンの掛かけ違ちがえがあったせいで、プロジェクト全ぜん体たいが混こん乱らんした。

  Because there was a misunderstanding from the very first explanation, the whole project got confused.

• お互たがいの前ぜん提ていが違ちがっていて、まさにボタンの掛かけ違ちがえだった。

  Our assumptions were different from each other; it was exactly a case of getting off on the wrong foot.