Sentence examples for Barking up the wrong tree from inspiring English sources

"barking up the wrong tree" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom used to describe when someone is making a wrong assumption or pursuing a mistaken line of thought. For example: "John has been trying to get a job in finance, but he's been barking up the wrong tree; he doesn't have the qualifications."

Idiom

To bark up the wrong tree.

To ask the wrong person; to make the wrong choice.

Exact(53)

I was barking up the wrong tree with this experimentation.

"I think this guy is barking up the wrong tree.

But Wilpon is barking up the wrong tree.

Jonathan Landman, culture editor: I think Mr. McGrath is barking up the wrong tree.

A discovery of that sort would indeed leave the Kennel Club barking up the wrong tree.

"He was barking up the wrong tree on the cause of the drug's effect".

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Similar(5)

A confirmation of Dr. Dhurandhar's theory would suggest that we are barking up the wrong tree in obesity treatments.

"Maybe we were barking up the wrong tree with all this business about Obamacare.

Yes, maybe he is barking up the wrong tree and doesn't need VC funding.

Barking up the wrong tree?

Rep. Shuler: Guys, you're barking up the wrong tree, my friends.

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