wrong end of the stick ⇒ a complete misunderstanding of a situation, explanation, etc vb (sticks, sticking, sticked) to support (a plant) with sticks; stake Etymology: Old English sticca; related to Old Norse stikka, Old High German stecca stick /stɪk/ vb (sticks, sticking, stuck) (transitive) to pierce or stab with or as if with something.