Having an unfavorable or problematic relationship with or position in something, and thus subject to negative consequences or effects thereof. I'm on the wrong end of the law. Unless you want the police to suspect you, you can't be seen with me. The elderly couple found themselves on the wrong end of a pyramid scheme devised to scam them out of their life savings. In their first home game after a road trip, the team found themselves on the wrong end of a 4-0 shutout.