ˈbɑrkɪŋ ʌp ðə rɔŋ triː
Animals
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- A dog barking at a tree that doesn't contain the animal it's hunting
What does "barking up the wrong tree" mean?
- Pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action
- Looking in the wrong place or making a wrong assumption
Examples
- If you think I stole your lunch, you're barking up the wrong tree.
- The police were barking up the wrong tree with that suspect.
- You're barking up the wrong tree if you expect him to help.
Origin
From hunting with dogs in America. Dogs sometimes bark at trees where they think prey has hidden, but the animal may have escaped to another tree. First recorded in the early 19th century.
How to use it
Common expression for misguided accusations or wrong assumptions. Can be used gently or more directly.
Similar expressions
on the wrong track
wrong direction
mistaken
Opposites
on the right track
correct assumption
Related idioms
- kill two birds with one stone
To accomplish two goals with a single action
- let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret accidentally
- elephant in the room
An obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to discuss
- don't count your chickens before they hatch
Don't assume success before it actually happens
- hold your horses
To wait and be patient
- fish out of water
Someone who feels awkward or uncomfortable in a particular situation
Use it in a practice answer
Try "barking up the wrong tree" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.