تعریف و معنای "[get|have] {one's} wires crossed"

What is the origin of the idiom "get one's wires crossed" and when to use it?

The idiom "get one's wires crossed" likely originates from the early days of telegraphy and telephony when wires and cables were used to transmit messages. If the wires were crossed or tangled, it would result in a miscommunication or garbled message at the receiving end. The term was later used in informal conversations to humorously acknowledge a misunderstanding or mix-up, often with no one to blame for the confusion.