Idiom
Woke up on the wrong side of the bed
If someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed, they are in a bad or grumpy mood, often for no clear reason.
How people use it
People usually say it about someone else's grumpiness (what's wrong with Leo? He must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed). It is informal and teasing rather than harsh. American English often uses get up on the wrong side of the bed, while British English prefers get out of bed on the wrong side. It describes a mood that lasts through the day, not a single angry moment.
Also said: wake up on the wrong side of the bed, get up on the wrong side of the bed, get out of bed on the wrong side.
Examples
- Grace snapped at everyone this morning; she must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed.
- Sorry I was grumpy earlier; I think I got up on the wrong side of the bed.
- Did the boss wake up on the wrong side of the bed? He hasn't smiled all day.
Where it comes from
The phrase probably comes from an old belief that the left side was unlucky, so getting out of bed on the left would bring a bad day. Similar ideas about the left side appear in many cultures; the Latin word for left, sinister, later took on a dark meaning in English. Claims that the ancient Romans followed this exact bedtime rule are often repeated but hard to confirm.
Check yourself
1. If someone says you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, what do they mean?
Answer: You are in a grumpy mood. The phrase describes a bad mood that seems to have no clear cause.
2. Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Answer: Omar complained about everything at breakfast; he must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed.. Complaining about everything shows a bad mood. Being cheerful is the opposite, and the hotel sentence is literal.
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