expression, ichidan verb
button up wrong; start from the wrong button
Literal meaning: to fasten buttons incorrectly, mismatching button and buttonhole. Often used in the fixed phrase ボタンを掛け違える.
急いでいたので、ボタンを掛け違えてしまった。
I was in a hurry, so I buttoned up wrong.
expression, ichidan verb
bungle up the order; get things out of order
Idiomatic use: to make a mistake in the sequence or order of things, leading to a chain of errors. Often used metaphorically for plans, procedures, or relationships.
最初の段階でボタンを掛け違えたせいで、プロジェクト全体が混乱した。
Because we got things out of order at the first stage, the whole project got confused.