“Barking up the wrong tree” is the proverb for pursuing a mistaken idea or chasing the wrong target. Here is what it means, where it comes from, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its sense.
What Does “Barking Up the Wrong Tree” Mean?
The expression means to pursue a mistaken or misguided line of thought or action — to be looking in the wrong place, blaming the wrong person, or chasing the wrong solution. Someone who is barking up the wrong tree may be working very hard and very loudly, but at the wrong target entirely, so all their effort is wasted. It is often used to correct a false assumption: “if you think I took it, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
Origin of the Proverb
The phrase comes from the world of hunting in early nineteenth-century America. Hunting dogs, especially coonhounds, were trained to chase an animal up a tree and then bark at its base to show their handler where the quarry was hiding. But a clever raccoon could leap to another tree in the dark, leaving the dog barking furiously at the foot of an empty one — “barking up the wrong tree.” The image of all that noise and effort aimed at the wrong spot proved irresistible, and the phrase soon spread into everyday speech.
Examples in a Sentence
- “If you’re expecting a loan from me, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
- “The detectives spent weeks barking up the wrong tree before finding the real culprit.”
- “Blaming the software is barking up the wrong tree — the problem is the data.”
Similar Proverbs
- To look for a fish, don’t climb a tree — searching in the wrong place gets you nowhere.
- On the wrong track — following a mistaken course.
- Looking in the wrong place — directing your effort where the answer isn’t.
- Backing the wrong horse — putting your faith in the wrong choice.
For more clever sayings, see our smart thoughts and the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “barking up the wrong tree” mean?
It means to pursue a mistaken idea or chase the wrong target — to be looking in the wrong place, so all your effort is wasted.
Where does the proverb come from?
It comes from early nineteenth-century American hunting, where a dog would bark at the foot of a tree after its quarry had already escaped to another one.
What is a similar proverb?
“To look for a fish, don’t climb a tree” and “backing the wrong horse” share the idea of directing effort at the wrong target.