THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Barking up the wrong tree
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action; to make a wrong assumption.
Usage note: keep in mind
This expression describes looking for an answer, assigning blame or pursuing a goal in the wrong direction. It is informal and often used in the continuous form. Explain the mistaken assumption when you use it so the meaning is clear.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- If you think I’m the one who broke the vase, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
If you think I’m the one who broke the vase, you’re ________.
Show the answer
Barking up the wrong tree — To pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action; to make a wrong assumption.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Barking up the wrong tree” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
To pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action; to make a wrong assumption.
Compare: If you think I’m the one who broke the vase, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.
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More ways to understand and use it
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More examples in context
- If you think I deleted the file, you're barking up the wrong tree; I was offline.
- We were barking up the wrong tree when we blamed the battery. The cable was broken.
Check your understanding
A student keeps changing a correct calculation when the real error is a copied number. Why does the idiom fit?
Check your answer
The student is trying to solve the wrong problem. The effort may be sincere, but it is directed at a mistaken explanation.
Use it in your own words
Write one new situation where barking up the wrong tree fits. Explain the situation in plain English first, then rewrite it using the expression. Check that the tone and meaning suit your audience.