Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
to be barking up the wrong tree
idiom
/tə biː ˈbɑrkɪŋ ʌp ðə rɔŋ tri/
Definition
To pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action.
Examples
- If you think I’m the one who broke the vase, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
- She believed that studying harder would solve all her problems, but she was barking up the wrong tree.
- He accused his friend of stealing his idea, but he was barking up the wrong tree; it was someone else entirely.
Meaning
This phrase is used when someone is looking in the wrong place or making a false assumption about a situation.
Synonyms
- Misguided
- Chasing false leads
- Going down the wrong path
