Bark up the wrong tree Meaning in English
expression
Definición
If you 'bark up the wrong tree,' you are looking in the wrong place or blaming the wrong person for a problem. It means your efforts are directed incorrectly.
Uso & Matices
This is an informal, idiomatic expression. Commonly used to tell someone they are mistaken about the cause of a problem or whom to blame. Frequently followed by whom or what the focus should be. Don't use it in very formal or academic writing.
Oraciones de Ejemplo
If you think I broke the window, you're barking up the wrong tree.
basic
She is barking up the wrong tree by blaming her brother for the lost keys.
basic
Don't bark up the wrong tree; I know nothing about this.
basic
You keep asking me, but you're barking up the wrong tree. Try talking to Mark instead.
natural
If you're looking for someone to blame, you're definitely barking up the wrong tree.
natural
My teacher said I was barking up the wrong tree by spending hours memorizing instead of understanding.
natural