bark up the wrong tree

Idioms  

1. 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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Example Sentences

We root for the underdog, we bark up the wrong tree and then we’re in the doghouse.

From The Guardian • Jan. 24, 2021

The information disparity between the two characters has been a driving source of intrigue, allowing the audience to crave Hannah’s leads while smugly watching Kirkman bark up the wrong tree.

From New York Times • Dec. 7, 2016

The terms "innocent," "acknowledge the corn," "bark up the wrong tree," "great snakes," "I reckon," "playing 'possum," "dead shot," had their origin in the Southern States.

From How to Speak and Write Correctly by Devlin, Joseph

You lose your head and you bark up the wrong tree.

From John Marsh's Millions by Hornblow, Arthur