push the wrong buttons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "push the wrong buttons" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone making choices that result in an undesirable outcome. For example: "He kept pushing the wrong buttons, and eventually the machine broke down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Going back to Kanye and Jay-Z -- and Jay-Z I happen to be a big fan of -- in general, rap can push the wrong buttons with me primarily because of the association and the suggestion of a certain value of women.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I don't want to push the wrong button with Sarah," he said.

The New York Times

His argument was that one button ensured that it would be impossible to push the wrong button.

The New York Times - Tech

Drivers add that it's too easy to push the wrong button by accident, an excuse that is hard to fathom if it kept happening.

The New York Times

"We just hope our government customers don't get confused and push the wrong button," he jokes darkly.

Forbes

If not that, then surely someone would push the wrong button or fall asleep on the job.

Los Angeles Times

I kept pushing the wrong buttons and funny things would happen".

The Guardian - Books

"But they got online one night and started surfing around, probably had too much to drink or whatever, and pushed the wrong buttons, went too far and got into child porn".

The Guardian - Books

How do we ensure we are not pushing the wrong buttons on them while we think we are motivating them?

Huffington Post

Much like last season's final few episodes, this season is ending with plenty of hints that Mulder and Scully are pushing the wrong buttons".

Wikipedia

"But they got online one night and started surfing around, probably had too much to drink or whatever, and pushed the wrong buttons and went too far and got into child porn...."....

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive topics, be mindful of unintentionally "pushing the wrong buttons" by choosing language and examples carefully.

Common error

While "push the wrong buttons" is widely understood, it can sound informal in professional or academic writing. Opt for more neutral phrasing like "cause unintended negative consequences" or "inadvertently trigger a negative response" in formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "push the wrong buttons" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It describes an action or statement that inadvertently causes a negative reaction or annoyance in someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "push the wrong buttons" is a common idiom used to describe the act of inadvertently causing a negative reaction or annoyance in someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in written English. Primarily found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, the phrase serves to highlight actions or statements that trigger undesirable emotional responses. While versatile, it's important to consider the register and opt for more formal alternatives like "cause unintended negative consequences" in professional or academic settings. Remember that using this phrase effectively hinges on ensuring the context makes clear that the action or statement inadvertently caused the negative response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

press the wrong button

Focuses on a literal error involving buttons, lacking the broader implication of triggering a negative reaction.

trigger a negative response

General expression which specifies only causing something negative

do the wrong thing

Emphasizes incorrect action without specifying the emotional impact or cause of the mistake.

make a mistake

General term for an error, lacking the specific implication of causing annoyance or triggering a negative reaction.

rub someone the wrong way

Highlights causing irritation or annoyance, differing from unintentional errors.

say the wrong thing

Focuses on verbal missteps and their consequences, differing from actions.

get on someone's nerves

Focuses on causing irritation, rather than making a mistake that triggers a reaction.

step on someone's toes

Implies causing offense or intrusion, less about simple mistakes.

aggravate the situation

Implies worsening a situation, differing from causing an initial problem.

inflame tensions

Describes escalating conflict, a stronger term than simply causing annoyance.

FAQs

How can I use "push the wrong buttons" in a sentence?

You can use "push the wrong buttons" to describe actions that inadvertently cause offense or trigger negative reactions. For example, "His comments about the company's financial situation inadvertently "pushed the wrong buttons" with the employees".

What does it mean to "push the wrong buttons"?

To "push the wrong buttons" means to say or do something that unintentionally annoys or offends someone, triggering a negative reaction.

Which is more appropriate, "push the wrong buttons" or "press the wrong button"?

"Push the wrong buttons" is generally used in interpersonal contexts to describe triggering negative emotions, while "press the wrong button" is more literal, referring to physical buttons or controls. Although similar, the best fit depends on the context.

What are some alternative phrases to "push the wrong buttons"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "make a mistake", "get on someone's nerves", or "trigger a negative response".