Meaning: To be looking in the wrong place for an answer; to be thinking incorrectly about a problem.

Examples:

The man told the police that they were barking up the wrong tree and that he had nothing to do with the bank robbery.

You’ll be barking up the wrong tree if you ask him about English grammar because he doesn’t know anything about it.

Am I right or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Pop Quiz:

If you’re barking up the wrong tree, you…

A.  hit the nail on the head.

B.  got up on the wrong side of the bed.

C.  are on the wrong track.

To see the correct answer, click on “Continue reading”:

The correct answer is C. A means you have the correct answer, and B means you’re in a bad mood or having a bad day.