wrong side of the bed

/ˈrɒŋ saɪd əv ðə bɛd/◆idiom

being in a bad mood

She must have gotten out of the wrong side of the bed because she's been grumpy all morning.

She is in a bad mood today.

◆ What It Really Means

Being in a bad mood or starting the day feeling irritable.

¶ Literal Meaning

Physically waking up on the less comfortable side of the bed.

Literal Breakdown

wrongincorrect or undesirable+side of the bedone half of a bed

◇ Mental Image

The mental image of someone waking up on the less comfortable side of the bed, leading to a bad start to the day.

◈ When to Use

A coworker is unusually grumpy in the morning, and you jokingly say, 'You must have gotten out of the wrong side of the bed today!'

◉ Cultural Note

This idiom reflects the common experience of waking up feeling off or irritable, often without a clear reason.

informal

To wake up in a bad mood, often due to feeling tired or irritable.

He’s been snapping at everyone today—must have gotten out of the wrong side of the bed.

He is in a bad mood and taking it out on others.

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and couldn’t shake the grumpiness all day.

I started the day feeling irritable and couldn’t improve my mood.

This phrase is often used humorously or to explain someone's sudden irritability.

Collocations

get out of the wrong side of the bedto wake up in a bad mood

Synonyms

start the day on the wrong foot be in a foul mood be grumpy be irritable

Antonyms

start the day on the right foot be in a good mood be cheerful

Related Phrases

start the day on the wrong footidiom

to begin the day poorly or make a bad first impression

Pro Tip

Usage Context

This phrase is typically used to explain someone's bad mood in a lighthearted way, often when they are acting grumpier than usual.

Gold Rule

Avoid Overuse

While this phrase is common, using it too frequently can make it lose its impact. Use it sparingly for best effect.

Word Origin

The exact origin is unclear, but it likely stems from the idea that waking up on one side of the bed (perhaps the less comfortable side) leads to a bad start to the day.

Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in informal contexts to explain why someone is acting unusually irritable or grumpy.

English Dictionary

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