Reversal of priorities; putting the cart before the horse — mistaking what is essential for what is incidental, or reversing the proper order of importance.
議論が主客転倒して、細かい点ばかり争っている。
The discussion has its priorities reversed; they're arguing over trivial points.
教育の目的を忘れて、テストの点数ばかりを追うのは主客転倒だ。
Forgetting the purpose of education and chasing only test scores is putting the cart before the horse.
会社でも主客転倒が見られ、顧客満足より社内の都合を優先している。
You can see a reversal of priorities at the company — internal convenience is prioritized over customer satisfaction.