bark up the wrong tree
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Waste one's efforts by pursuing the wrong thing or path, as in If you think I can come up with more money, you're barking up the wrong tree. This term comes from the nocturnal pursuit of raccoon-hunting with the aid of dogs. Occasionally a raccoon fools the dogs, which crowd around a tree, barking loudly, not realizing their quarry has taken a different route. [Early 1800s]
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Question 1 of 9
Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
Words nearby bark up the wrong tree
Barkla, Barkley, barklouse, Bar Kochba, Bar Kokba, bark up the wrong tree, barky, Barlach, bar-le-duc, Barletta, barley
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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