be on the wrong side

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be on the wrong side" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is in opposition to a correct or morally right position, or that they are aligned with an unfavorable or incorrect viewpoint. Example: "In the debate about climate change, those who deny its existence are clearly on the wrong side of history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

You can't fight the future, and no one wants to be on the wrong side of history.

Huffington Post

Could I be on the wrong side?

The Guardian - Books

Don't be on the wrong side of it".

The New York Times - Sports

I'd hate to be on the wrong side of her".

The New York Times

Fallon may be on the wrong side of pop history.

The New York Times - Magazine

The titles' proprietor, Ruper Murdoch hates to be on the wrong side.

The Economist

Colombia's rice growers and poultry farmers look to be on the wrong side of comparative advantage.

The Economist

"Here's a clue that you might be on the wrong side of history," Stewart said.

Independent

I don't want to be on the wrong side of history".

The New York Times

"They know better than to be on the wrong side of the army," he says.

The Economist

Once again, the United States is proving to be on the wrong side of history.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical or ethical matters, use "be on the wrong side" to emphasize the moral implications of a stance. For example, "Supporting segregation is to "be on the wrong side" of history".

Common error

Avoid using "be on the wrong side" when simply expressing a difference of opinion. This phrase implies a significant ethical or moral failing, not just a disagreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be on the wrong side" functions as a predicate in sentences, indicating a state of opposition to what is considered right, moral, or progressive. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in various contexts, from political stances to historical interpretations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be on the wrong side" is a potent expression used to highlight opposition to ethical, moral, or progressive stances. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and commonly found in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "be in opposition" or "be mistaken" exist, they lack the strong condemnatory tone. Best practice involves using the phrase to underscore moral implications, while avoiding its overuse in simple disagreements. Understanding its communicative purpose and potential impact is crucial for effective and responsible communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in opposition

Focuses on being against something, rather than specifically being on the 'wrong' side.

be in disagreement

Emphasizes a lack of consensus, not necessarily being morally or factually incorrect.

hold an unpopular opinion

Highlights the lack of widespread support for a view, not necessarily its incorrectness.

take the unpopular stance

Focuses on the act of adopting an attitude against the general public opinion

be mistaken

Focuses solely on factual incorrectness, lacking the adversarial sense.

have the weaker argument

Focuses on the lack of persuasive strength rather than moral incorrectness.

be at a disadvantage

Highlights the unfavorable position, shifting away from being morally wrong.

be out of step

Implies not conforming to current trends or norms, not necessarily being wrong.

back the losing horse

Implies supporting a failing endeavor, not necessarily a morally wrong position.

support the losing team

Highlights the act of siding with something or someone in a losing position

FAQs

How to use "be on the wrong side" in a sentence?

The phrase "be on the wrong side" is typically used to indicate disagreement or opposition to a morally or ethically correct position. For example: "If you support that policy, you'll "be on the wrong side" of history".

What can I say instead of "be on the wrong side"?

You can use alternatives like "be in opposition", "be mistaken", or "hold an unpopular opinion" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "be on the wrong side" and "be on the losing side"?

"Be on the wrong side" implies a moral or ethical judgment, whereas "be on the losing side" refers to an unsuccessful position or outcome.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "be on the wrong side"?

Use "be on the wrong side" when you want to emphasize that a particular stance or action is not only incorrect but also morally or ethically flawed. It suggests a serious misjudgment or alignment with an unjust cause.