Question

Bark up the wrong tree If someone is barking up the wrong tree, they have the wrong idea about something, or they misunderstand the situation. The expression comes from using hunting dogs to bark up at a particular tree to show that an animal is hiding in it. Sometimes they bark up the wrong tree. “They thought that she didn’t want to come to the disco because she didn’t like dancing. But they were barking up the wrong tree. It was because she didn’t like the flashing lights.”

Accepted Answer

What do you mean? Why does it mean this? Example

Metaphor	Bark up the wrong tree
Question Meaning	What do you mean?
Meaning	If someone is barking up the wrong tree, they have the wrong idea about something, or they misunderstand the situation.
Question Explanation	Why does it mean this?
Explanation	The expression comes from using hunting dogs to bark up at a particular tree to show that an animal is hiding in it. Sometimes they bark up the wrong tree.
Question Example	Example
Example	“They thought that she didn’t want to come to the disco because she didn’t like dancing. But they were barking up the wrong tree. It was because she didn’t like the flashing lights.”

Wrong Tree Bark Didn’t Barking Idea Misunderstand Situation