to fail to understand a statement or situation correctly A lot of people take his confidence the wrong way, mistaking it for arrogance.She feels like every word she says is taken the wrong way.
to feel that someone is criticizing you when in fact they are not Don't take this the wrong way, Jonathan, but at 33 aren't you getting a bit old for this game?If ever I make a suggestion, she always takes it the wrong way and we end up arguing.
Also, take amiss. Misunderstand, misinterpret, especially so as to take offense. For example, I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but you have to give others a chance to speak , or Please don't take their criticism amiss; they mean well. The variant dates from the late 1300s. Also see get someone wrong.