bark up the wrong tree
/ˌbɑːk ʌp ðə ˌrɒŋ ˈtriː/INFORMAL · C1
Meaning
to be mistaken about a cause or solution
Examples
- 1If you're blaming the printer, you're barking up the wrong tree; the file itself is blank.
- 2The repair team were barking up the wrong tree until they checked the loose cable.
- 3Anyone blaming the recipe is barking up the wrong tree; the oven never heated up.
- 4You were barking up the wrong tree by blaming Jo; she wasn't even at the rehearsal.
- 5Replacing the battery? You're barking up the wrong tree; this camera works only when plugged in.
Grammar
Usually progressive: be barking up the wrong tree. Change be for tense and subject; keep the wrong tree singular.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about animals
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English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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