[Idiom] YOU'RE BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE. - Avoiding Misdirected Efforts in Tasks
You're barking up the wrong tree.
misdirected effort
Telling someone 'you're barking up the wrong tree' means their efforts are misdirected or their conclusions are incorrect. Originating from hunting dogs that might mistakenly bark at the wrong tree where their target isn't located, this idiom serves as a metaphor for seeking solutions in the wrong places or misunderstanding a situation. In work or personal life, it's a humorous way to suggest reassessing one’s approach to ensure energies are not wasted on futile endeavors.
Example Sentences
You're barking up the wrong tree if you think I'm quitting.
You are mistaken if you believe I am giving up.
Talking to him is barking up the wrong tree; he has no info.
Talking to him is a waste because he doesn't have the information.
She was barking up the wrong tree by blaming him for the mistake.
She wrongly blamed him for the error.