be barking up the wrong tree

Meaning

1. Oxford100% of films

   to have the wrong idea about how to get or achieve sth

   - Where is he? - You're barking up the wrong tree.

   If I quit, I'd be agreeing with everyone who had ever told me I was barking up the wrong tree.

In the movies · 4

• At least I'm not barking up the wrong tree.Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind2004
• - Where is he? - You're barking up the wrong tree.His Girl Friday1940
• But you're barking up the wrong tree. I know this man, he wouldn't do that.Reservoir Dogs1992
• If I quit, I'd be agreeing with everyone who had ever told me I was barking up the wrong tree.Front of the Class2008

Learn it in full scenes

• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind2004
  • Joel Ditches Work for Montauk Beach
  • Clementine Meets Joel on the Train
  • Joel and Clementine Meet
• His Girl Friday1940
  • Hildy Tells Walter She's Remarrying
  • Hildy Quits the Post
  • Walter Meets Bruce Baldwin
• Reservoir Dogs1992
  • The Madonna Theory Debate
  • Mr. Pink Refuses to Tip
  • Mr. White Reassures Mr. Orange

From the same entry

• bark is worse than their bite
• why keep a dog and bark yourself

More idioms

• be for a good cause
• bring to life
• carry too far
• get off the ground
• have a thing about
• no thanks to
• work like a charm
• have a fit
• a can of worms
• the big picture
• there you go again
• as a whole