That came out wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "That came out wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to acknowledge that something you said was not expressed clearly or was misunderstood. Example: "I meant to compliment her, but I think that came out wrong when I mentioned her outfit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I think that came out wrong.

The New Yorker

"The really fascinating thing is how to put something together that came out wrong and make it as right as possible," she said.

The New York Times - Health

Wait, that came out wrong.

TechCrunch

"Pam, that came out wrong, like you were saying gay people don't matter," I said gently.

Huffington Post

"It is kind of funny because there are times when you'll obviously make a comment — not that I have ever done this — where you're like, 'Oh, gosh, I never wanted to say that,' or, 'That came out wrong.' " The Jets were the only team to claim Edwards, perhaps because he has a track record with them.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I obviously said some things in the House of Commons that just came out wrong and caused the wrong impression and I deeply regret that," he said.

The Guardian

"I mean, what I regret is that it just came out wrong," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Moss said Tuesday that his remarks, after a victory over the Bengals on Sunday, came out wrong but that he wanted to get his feelings off his chest.

The New York Times

The words came out wrong.

The Guardian - Sport

Obviously, those sums came out wrong.

The New Yorker

There was the kernel of something legitimate in what he was trying to say, but it came out wrong.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to acknowledge you could have phrased something more clearly, especially when addressing sensitive topics.

Common error

Don't rely on the phrase "That came out wrong" alone to resolve misinterpretations. Always follow up with a clear explanation of your actual meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "That came out wrong" functions as an acknowledgment of a misspoken or poorly phrased statement. It is used to indicate that the speaker's intended message was not accurately conveyed by their words. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "That came out wrong" is a commonly used phrase to acknowledge a misstatement or poorly worded expression. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to clarify the speaker's intent and prevent misunderstandings. While versatile in register, it is crucial to follow up with a clear explanation after using this phrase. Common contexts include news media, general writing, and even formal business situations, but should be followed by an explanation to prevent assumptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The words came out wrong

Similar in structure to the original phrase, but puts emphasis on the words themselves rather than the act of saying.

That didn't sound right

Focuses on the auditory aspect of the statement; it didn't sound correct.

I didn't mean it that way

Emphasizes the speaker's intention was different from how the statement was perceived.

I misspoke

Acknowledges a mistake in speaking, often implying a slip of the tongue.

That wasn't what I meant to say

Highlights the discrepancy between the intended message and the actual words used.

I phrased that poorly

Indicates an awareness of using inadequate or inappropriate wording.

That was poorly worded

Highlights the poor choice of words as the reason for the miscommunication.

My words failed me

Suggests that the speaker struggled to express themselves accurately.

It was a slip of the tongue

Attributes the error to an unintentional and momentary lapse in speech.

I expressed myself badly

Focuses on the speaker's lack of skill or clarity in conveying their thoughts.

FAQs

How can I use "That came out wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "That came out wrong" to acknowledge that what you said was not expressed clearly or was misunderstood. For example, "I meant to compliment her, but I think that came out wrong when I mentioned her outfit."

What does "That came out wrong" mean?

"That came out wrong" is used to express that something you said was not what you intended to say, or it was phrased poorly.

What can I say instead of "That came out wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "I misspoke", "I phrased that poorly", or "I didn't mean it that way" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "That came out wrong" or "That didn't come out right"?

Both "That came out wrong" and "That didn't come out right" are acceptable, but "That came out wrong" is more common. "That didn't come out right" is also correct and means the same thing.