on the wrong side of history

English

Pronunciation

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Prepositional phrase

on the wrong side of history

1. (idiomatic, usually politics, derogatory) Having policies or practices that are perceived as not progressive or enlightened; behaving in a manner that reflects out-of-date or disapproved opinions.
   • 1993 June 27, “The 'Jurassic Park' Press”, in Newsweek, retrieved 21 April 2015:

     Washington reporters . . . were seen by the president's people as on the wrong side of history—both technologically and politically.

   • 2007 June 14, Michael Kinsley, “The Quiet Gay Revolution”, in Time, retrieved 21 April 2015:

     As gays have moved into the mainstream, Republicans have landed on the wrong side of history.

   • 2014 June 25, Linda Greenhouse, “The Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Cellphone Privacy”, in New York Times, retrieved 21 April 2015:

     The Roberts court has too often been on the wrong side of history, most pointedly in its retrograde refusal to protect the right to vote.

Antonyms

• on the right side of history

Translations

Translations

• Swedish: på fel sida av historien (sv)

See also

• behind the times
• out of date
• out of touch