Wrong number

You can use it as a full sentence or part of a polite explanation. If you answer the phone and don't know the caller, say, "I think you have the wrong number." If you are the one who made the mistake, say, "Sorry, wrong number!" and hang up quickly. In text messages, it is often used alone to stop a conversation before it starts. It acts like a verbal 'stop' sign for communication errors.

Use it the moment you realize a mistake has happened. Use it at work when a client calls your desk looking for a pizza shop. Use it at home when a stranger texts you about a party you weren't invited to. It is perfect for those awkward seconds when both people are confused. It saves time and prevents further misunderstanding.

Do not use this phrase if you know the person but just don't want to talk. That is considered lying or 'ghosting.' Avoid using it in a rude tone. Mistakes happen to everyone, so keep your voice light. Do not use it for email mistakes; we usually say 'wrong address' for those. If someone has the right number but the wrong information, this phrase doesn't quite fit.

In the past, people had to memorize phone numbers or look them up in giant paper books. Dialing a wrong number was very common and sometimes led to funny stories or even romances in movies. Today, with smartphones, it usually means someone typed a digit incorrectly or a business changed its contact info. In pop culture, 'calling the wrong number' is a classic trope for starting a mystery or a comedy of errors. It is a shared human experience that everyone understands immediately.

You might hear people say "You've got the wrong number" for a more complete sentence. Some might say "Sorry, misdialed" if they want to sound a bit more old-fashioned. In very casual texts, people might just send "? wrong number." If you want to be extra polite, try "I'm sorry, I think you're looking for someone else."