ボタンを掛かけ違ちがえる

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.

• 急いそいでいたので、ボタンを掛かけ違ちがえてしまった。

  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.

• 最さい初しょの段だん階かいでボタンを掛かけ違ちがえたせいで、プロジェクト全ぜん体たいが混こん乱らんした。

  Because we got things out of order at the first stage, the whole project got confused.