have (one's) wires crossed

1. Of oneself, to be or become confused, mistaken, or mentally disordered (about something). An allusion to telephone lines being wrongly connected and thus disrupting calls. I'm sorry for bringing you the wrong order, sir, I've had my wires crossed all day! Wow, it sounds like you really have your wires crossed about how to process that shipment! A: "Why are you printing the handouts at the last minute?" B: "I'm sorry, I had my wires crossed and thought Liz was supposed to do it!"

2. Of two or more people, to have a miscommunication between one another, resulting in a mistake or misunderstanding. I'm sorry about all the confusion regarding the contract, Bob. It looks like we had our wires crossed somehow. I think Mary and Robert's fight is really just because they have their wires crossed. A: "Why is there no one here to babysit the kids?" B: "Your mom and I had our wires crossed, that's why."