履はき違ちがえる

ichidan verb, transitive verb

put on someone else's shoes by mistake; put shoes on the wrong feet

Literal meaning: to wear shoes incorrectly, either by taking another person's shoes or by swapping left and right.

• 玄げん関かんで友とも達だちの靴くつを履はき違ちがえてしまった。

  I accidentally put on my friend's shoes at the entrance.

• 急いそいでいて、左さ右ゆうの靴くつを履はき違ちがえた。

  I was in a hurry and put my shoes on the wrong feet.

ichidan verb, transitive verb

mistake one thing for another; confuse; misunderstand

Figurative extension: to mix up concepts, roles, or meanings; often implies a fundamental misunderstanding or taking something the wrong way.

• 自じ由ゆうとわがままを履はき違ちがえてはいけない。

  You must not mistake freedom for selfishness.

• 彼かれは私わたしの親しん切せつを恋れん愛あい感かん情じょうと履はき違ちがえたようだ。

  He seems to have mistaken my kindness for romantic feelings.