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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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

How to use bark up the wrong tree in a sentence

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Most of the men leaped up, caught hold of spears or knives, and rushed out.
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