English / idiom
Barking up the Wrong Tree
MEANING IN ENGLISH
Pursuing a mistaken line of thought, directing efforts toward the wrong objective, or blaming the wrong party.
In context
01
If you think slashing the research budget will revive company growth, you are barking up the wrong tree.
02
After weeks of fruitless investigation, the detectives realized they were barking up the wrong tree and redirected their inquiry.
Synonyms
on the wrong track,misdirected,misguided
Antonyms
on the right track,hitting the mark,spot on
Collocations
be barking up the wrong tree,realize barking up the wrong tree,accuse of barking up the wrong tree