[Idiom] BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE. - Why Your Efforts May Be Misguided: Learn with Us
Barking up the wrong tree.
/ˈbɑːrkɪŋ ʌp ðə rɒŋ triː/
Misdirected effort or misunderstanding.
The idiom "barking up the wrong tree" comes from hunting dogs that may mistakenly bark at a tree believing their quarry to be up there when it is not. It is used when someone is utterly mistaken or misinformed about their approach to solving a problem or investigating an issue, implying a waste of efforts on a fruitless endeavor.
Example Sentences
You're barking up the wrong tree; he wasn't even there.
This implies an error in assumption, as he was not present at the scene.
If you think I stole your book, you're barking up the wrong tree.
Your suspicion of my theft is misplaced as I am not the culprit.
Accusing her of lying? You are definitely barking up the wrong tree.
Her integrity was wrongly questioned, indicating a misdirected accusation.