How to Pronounce "bark up the wrong tree"
expression
ˈbɑɹk/ /ˈəp/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈɹɔŋ/ /ˈtɹi
BARK up thuh RAWNG TREE
bˈɑːk/ /ˈʌp/ /ðə, ði/ /ɹˈɒŋ/ /tɹˈiː
BAAHK up thuh RONG TREE
Definition
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.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈbɑɹk/ /ˈəp/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈɹɔŋ/ /ˈtɹi
British English
bˈɑːk/ /ˈʌp/ /ðə, ði/ /ɹˈɒŋ/ /tɹˈiː
Simplified Pronunciation
US
BARK up thuh RAWNG TREE
UK
BAAHK up thuh RONG TREE
Listen in Context
If you think I broke the window, you're barking up the wrong tree.
She is barking up the wrong tree by blaming her brother for the lost keys.
Don't bark up the wrong tree; I know nothing about this.
You keep asking me, but you're barking up the wrong tree. Try talking to Mark instead.