On the wrong track Meaning in English
expression
ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈɹɔŋ/ /ˈtɹæk
ON thuh RAWNG trak
ˈɒn/ /ðə, ði/ /ɹˈɒŋ/ /tɹˈæk
on thuh RONG trak
Definition
To be doing something incorrectly or going toward the wrong result; not making progress in the right way.
Usage & Nuances
Figurative and informal; often used when someone is making a mistake or misunderstanding. Not used literally with physical tracks. Common with verbs like 'be', 'get', or 'go'.
Spanish: equivocado - en el camino equivocadoPortuguese (BR): no caminho certo - enganadoPortuguese (PT): no caminho errado - enganadoChinese (Simplified): 走错方向 - 误入歧途Chinese (Traditional): 走錯方向 - 誤入歧途Hindi: गलत रास्ते परArabic: على المسار الخطأBengali: ভুল পথে - ভুল ধারণায়Russian: не на верном пути - неправильноJapanese: 間違った方向にいる - 見当違いVietnamese: đi sai hướng - làm sai cáchKorean: 잘못된 길로 가다 - 잘못 생각하다Turkish: yanlış yolda - yanlış düşüncedeUrdu: غلط راستے پر - غلط سمت میںIndonesian: di jalur yang salah - salah arah
Example Sentences
You're on the wrong track with this answer.
basic
If we keep doing this, we'll stay on the wrong track.
basic
The teacher told him he was on the wrong track.
basic
Let me stop you—you're on the wrong track with that idea.
natural
I think we're on the wrong track. Let's try a different approach.
natural
When you started blaming others, you got on the wrong track.
natural