bark up the wrong tree

Idioms are generally defined as groups of words that form a meaningful whole when they come together, even though the words in them do not make sense on their own. They have produced many idioms according to their own cultural characteristics in communities using the English language. What does bark up the wrong tree mean? In what situations is bark up the wrong tree used?

Meaning of "bark up the wrong tree"

Meaning

The phrase 'bark up the wrong tree' is a proverbial idiom which is used to describe an erroneous course or approach. It suggests that the person has taken a misdirected or misguided effort or action and will lead to a negative result. It is usually used when a person has pursued a course of action without success, but it is sometimes used in a humorous manner.

Etymology

The phrase 'bark up the wrong tree' was first recorded in 1845 in the United States, though the origin of the phrase is uncertain. It may have its roots in an earlier English proverb, "bark at the wrong whale." This proverb stated that a person should not aim or shoot at something which is too big or can not be actually hit.

Usage

The phrase 'Bark Up the Wrong Tree' is usually used to describe a course of action that is likely to be unsuccessful or lead to a negative result. It is often used when someone has pursued a course of action despite not having the correct information, resources or skills. It can also be used in a humorous manner to indicate that someone has made a mistake or should take a different path.

Example Sentences

• His attempts to get a promotion were unsuccessful; he was barking up the wrong tree.
• John gave up on the project after a few weeks; he was barking up the wrong tree the whole time.
• The politician tried to appeal to the voters, but he was barking up the wrong tree.
• The CEO was barking up the wrong tree when he hired that consultant.

Idioms with similar meaning

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.