Did someone recently say that someone else was ‘barking up the wrong tree’? Are you wondering what it means? In this article, we’ll go over the definition and meaning, as well as provide usage examples so you know how to use the phrase in a sentence.
In short:
- ‘Barking up the wrong tree’ means that you’re wasting your time or effort pursuing the wrong thing or going down the wrong path.
Essentially, the phrase is used to mean someone is trying to achieve something but going about it the wrong way.
What Does ‘Barking Up the Wrong Tree’ Mean?
‘Barking up the wrong tree’ means that you’re trying to accomplish something and going about it in the wrong way. It could also mean pursuing someone that’s not interested or unavailable.
- For example, you might want to ask someone out but later find out that she’s married.
In that instance, you were ‘barking up the wrong tree’ thinking you were going to get her.
The phrase could also be used to mean making the wrong choice or following the wrong course.
- For example, you might have a choice between dating two different girls – a nice one and a not-so-nice one. If you choose the not-so-nice one, some might say that you’re barking up the wrong tree because she’s only going to break your heart.
If you’ve been trying to solve a problem the wrong way, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
It can also be used when someone is asking you a question within your organization, but you’re the wrong person to ask.
An Example
In Miss Congeniality, when a Vassar undergrad interested in law enforcement tells Detective Grace Hart she’d like to get a woman’s point of view on what it’s like, her partner (dissing her), responds with:
“You’re barking up the wrong tree. Right, Hart?”
This implies that Grace (a tomboyish detective) can’t possibly offer a woman’s perspective because there isn’t anything remotely ‘womanly’ about her.
Where Does ‘Barking Up the Wrong Tree’ Come From?
The phrase ‘barking up the wrong tree’ dates back to the early 1800s right here in the U.S.
It was initially used when prey like raccoons would trick dogs into believing they were up a certain tree when they had already escaped.
The dogs were then ‘barking up the wrong tree’ because the raccoons would already be gone, having escaped by leaping from one tree to another.
One of the first mentions of it was in ‘Westward Ho!’ written by James Kirke Paulding in 1832.
Examples of ‘Barking Up the Wrong Tree’ in Sentences
How would you use ‘barking up the wrong tree’ in a sentence?
Let’s see some examples:
- You’re barking up the wrong tree if you think I can help you with this. You have to talk to a manager about returns. Please, step aside so I can help other customers.
- Calvin is barking up the wrong tree if he thinks Max will go on a date with him. The man is not even gay. Who’s going to tell him?
- If you think you’re going to impress Halle with expensive gifts and fancy dinners, you’re barking up the wrong tree. She’s not that kind of girl. She appreciates genuine honesty and authenticity. You better refine your approach and try again.
- If you think I’m going to help you train for this marathon, you’re barking up the wrong tree. I haven’t trained for one in years. Why don’t you ask Melanie?
- I can’t accept that I’ve been barking up the wrong tree for ten years. I can’t believe the woman I’ve been pining away for only likes women.
- That woman is barking up the wrong tree if she thinks she’s going to take my husband away from me. He’s been faithful to me for over 20 years. She can flirt all she wants to, but he’ll never give her the time of day.
- My friends are barking up the wrong tree if they think I’m going to Vegas. They keep saying, ‘What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.’ But I don’t think my husband would like that very much; therefore, I’m going to sit this one out.
- She’s most definitely barking up the wrong tree if she thinks I’m going to be nice to her after what she did to me. She stole my wedding date and booked all of my vendors. It’s basically my wedding!
Other Ways to Say ‘Barking Up the Wrong Tree’
What are other words or phrases that convey the same meaning as ‘barking up the wrong tree’?
Let’s see some examples:
- I think you’re confused.
- You’re mistaken.
- You have to talk to someone else.
- You’re sadly misguided.
- You might be a little confused.
- You may have been deceived
- You’ve been misled
- You’re under the wrong impression
- You’ve been duped
- You’ve been fooled
- You’ve been deluded
- You’re erroneous
- You’re misinformed
- You’re wrong
- You’re sadly mistaken
- You’ve miscalculated this
- You’re going the wrong way
- You’re going in the wrong direction
- You’re headed in the wrong direction
- You’re goofing
- You’ve screwed up
- You’re slipping up
- You’re fumbling the ball/Fumbling
- You’re making a blunder
- You’re getting it wrong
- You’re dropping the ball
- Getting the wrong end of the stick
- Asking someone out who’s not interested
- Flirting with someone who’s not interested
- Going after someone who’s married/unavailable
- Going after someone who’s interested in the opposite sex
- You’re trying to fix things the wrong way
Final Advice on ‘Barking Up the Wrong Tree’
To recap:
- ‘Barking up the wrong tree’ means that you’re wasting your time or effort pursuing the wrong thing or going down the wrong path.
Remember, the phrase is used to mean someone is trying to achieve something but going about it the wrong way.
If you ever get stuck on anything, you can always come back here and review what you learned. We’ve also got a whole library full of content on idioms that you might find helpful as you’re learning this complex language we call English. Go check it out anytime.
