How do you use "Barking up the wrong tree" in a sentence?

If you think I did it, you're barking up the wrong tree. We were barking up the wrong tree with that investigation. You're barking up the wrong tree looking there.

Barking up the wrong tree

Q: What does "Barking up the wrong tree" mean?

Pursuing a mistaken course; looking in the wrong place. 'Barking up the wrong tree' means you're mistaken about something—pursuing the wrong lead or accusing the wrong person. Like a hunting dog barking at a tree where the quarry isn't.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Meaning: Pursuing a mistaken course; looking in the wrong place.

方向搞错了；找错了地方。

Ir por el camino equivocado; buscar en el lugar incorrecto.

見当違いの方向に進んでいる。間違った場所を探している。

잘못된 방향으로 나아가고 있는, 엉뚱한 곳을 찾고 있는.

'Barking up the wrong tree' means you're mistaken about something—pursuing the wrong lead or accusing the wrong person. Like a hunting dog barking at a tree where the quarry isn't.

'barking up the wrong tree（对着错误的树吠叫）'意味着你搞错了——追错了线索或冤枉了人。就像猎犬对着没有猎物的树吠叫。

'Barking up the wrong tree' (ladrar al árbol equivocado) significa que estás equivocado: sigues una pista falsa o acusas a la persona equivocada. Como un perro de caza ladrando a un árbol donde no está la presa.

「barking up the wrong tree（間違った木に吠える）」は何かについて見当違いをしていること——間違った手がかりを追ったり、間違った人を疑ったりすることです。獲物がいない木に向かって吠える猟犬のように。

'Barking up the wrong tree'는 무언가에 대해 잘못 알고 있다는 뜻으로, 잘못된 단서를 추적하거나 엉뚱한 사람을 의심하는 것을 의미합니다. 사냥개가 사냥감이 없는 나무를 향해 짖는 모습에서 유래했습니다.

Examples

If you think I did it, you're barking up the wrong tree.
如果你以为是我干的，那你找错人了。
Si crees que fui yo, vas por mal camino.
僕がやったと思ってるなら、見当違いだよ。
내가 했다고 생각하면, 완전히 헛다리 짚은 거야.
We were barking up the wrong tree with that investigation.
那次调查我们搞错方向了。
Estábamos buscando en la dirección equivocada con esa investigación.
あの調査は見当違いだった。
그 조사는 완전히 헛다리를 짚고 있었어.
You're barking up the wrong tree looking there.
你在那里找是找错地方了。
Buscas en el lugar equivocado.
そこを探しても見当違いだよ。
거기서 찾으면 헛수고야.

Pronunciation

/ˈbɑːkɪŋ ʌp ðə rɒŋ triː/

Usage Guide

Context: mistakes, investigation, accusations

Tone: correcting, dismissive

✓ Do Say

Barking up the wrong tree
找错方向了
ir por mal camino
見当違い
엉뚱한 데서 찾고 있다
You're barking up the wrong tree
你搞错了
vas desencaminado
お門違いだよ
헛다리 짚고 있어

Common Mistakes

About being mistaken, not about actual dogs

Origin & History

From American hunting with dogs in the 19th century. Dogs sometimes bark at trees where prey has escaped from or never was. Extended to any misdirected effort.

Etymology: Hunting: dog barking at empty tree

First recorded: Early 19th century American

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: American hunting; Universal expression

Regional notes: American hunting origin, global usage.

Variations

Barking up the wrong treeBark up the wrong tree