Barking up the wrong tree

The phrase Barking up the wrong tree is often used in English, but what does this idiom mean? When idioms are used in the right situations, they strengthen communication and enrich the language. You can communicate more effectively by learning the meaning of Barking up the wrong tree.

Meaning of "Barking up the wrong tree"

Meaning

The idiom ‘barking up the wrong tree’ is used to describe a situation where someone makes an incorrect assumption or misinterprets the facts, and, as a result, wastes their time and effort. It suggests that they are seeking satisfaction in all the wrong places, hence why they are ‘barking up the wrong tree’.

Etymology

The origin of the idiom ‘barking up the wrong tree’ is difficult to ascertain with any degree of certainty, but some argue that it can be traced back to old hunting stories. According to this explanation, when a hunter was tracking an animal and the animal suddenly veered off and disappeared, the hunter would assume that their prey was still close and continue to search in the same location, making them ‘bark up the wrong tree’.

Usage

The idiom ‘barking up the wrong tree’ is most commonly used to describe a situation in which someone has made a faulty assumption, misinterpreted the facts, and is wasting time and effort in their pursuit of satisfaction. It can also be used more generally to describe situations in which someone is expending effort on an unproductive task or pursuing a goal in a misguided way.

Example Sentences

• He's been chasing that project for weeks, but I think he's barking up the wrong tree.
• I don't think you're going to get what you're looking for. You're barking up the wrong tree.
• He's been trying to get a promotion for months, but I think he's barking up the wrong tree.
• She's been trying to get the job done for weeks, but I think she's barking up the wrong tree.

From One Language to Another: Idioms in Translation

Translating idioms from one language to another can be a tricky task, as the cultural context behind an idiom can be difficult to capture. For example, the French phrase "avoir le cafard" translates to "to have the cockroach," which means to feel down or depressed. Similarly, the Chinese idiom "????" (j?ng d? zh? w?) translates to "frog at the bottom of a well," which refers to someone with a narrow view of the world.