got the timing wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got the timing wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where someone misjudged the appropriate moment for an action or event. Example: "I thought the meeting was at 3 PM, but I got the timing wrong and arrived an hour late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Books

Arts

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Time after time, governments and their legions of economists got the timing wrong, accelerating when the economy needed slowing down, or vice versa.Another Keynesian idea, that of allowing the natural ebb and flow of spending and revenue to lean against recessions and to restrain booms, does seem to help.

The Economist

Well, I got the timing wrong.

The New Yorker

"I thought, 'Oh no, I've got the timing wrong!

The Guardian - Arts

If you die, you got the timing wrong.

The Guardian - Books

They also got the timing wrong on China in the 1960s, India in the '70s and Pakistan in the '80s.

The New York Times

He is quite candid in his lengthy, sometimes mawkish, interview with the BBC's Dan Roan that he got the timing wrong when he "confessed" to Oprah.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"I thought, Did I get the timing wrong?

The New Yorker

Get the timing wrong on a short sale, and lofty valuations may shoot even higher.

The New York Times

Getting the timing wrong would have endangered both forces and civilians.

The Guardian

Often they get the timing wrong; they come too late to do any real good.

The New York Times

He may have gotten the timing wrong, but he was right about the impending problems.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got the timing wrong" to convey a sense of misjudgment or error in when something occurred, especially in situations requiring precision. Be specific about what the mistimed action or event was to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "got the time wrong" when you actually mean "got the timing wrong". "Got the time wrong" suggests an incorrect reading of the clock, while "got the timing wrong" implies misjudging when an event should occur in a sequence or process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got the timing wrong" functions as a comment on an action or event, indicating that it occurred at an inappropriate or ineffective moment. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Books

8%

Arts

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got the timing wrong" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a misjudgment in the appropriate moment for an action or event. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys criticism or regret. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, sports, and business contexts, suggesting a neutral register suitable for diverse situations. While alternatives like "misjudged the timing" or "timed it poorly" exist, understanding the nuances of "got the timing wrong" ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misjudged the timing

Focuses on the act of judging incorrectly, rather than the result.

timed it poorly

Emphasizes the quality of the timing as being substandard.

chose the wrong moment

Highlights the selection of an inappropriate point in time.

was premature

Indicates that something happened too early.

was too late

Indicates that something happened with a delay.

missed the opportune moment

Suggests a missed chance due to incorrect timing.

the timing was off

A more general expression indicating a lack of synchronization.

it was mistimed

Highlights the incorrect synchronization.

messed up the scheduling

Focuses on mistakes in the allocation of time

botched the sequence

Highlights errors in ordering steps or phases of a process

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "got the timing wrong"?

Saying someone "got the timing wrong" means they misjudged when something should happen, leading to an undesirable outcome because of the incorrect moment chosen.

How can I use "got the timing wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "got the timing wrong" to describe various scenarios, like "The comedian "misjudged the timing" of his punchline and the joke fell flat" or "The investor "timed it poorly" and lost a significant amount of money".

What are some alternative ways to say "got the timing wrong"?

Alternatives include "misjudged the timing", "timed it poorly", or "missed the opportune moment", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "got the time wrong" or "got the timing wrong"?

"Got the time wrong" refers to misreading the clock, while "got the timing wrong" refers to misjudging the moment for an action. Use the phrase that accurately reflects the intended meaning.