To attempt or pursue the wrong thing; to take the wrong approach; to follow a false lead.

If you think you're going to get him to agree just by asking, you're barking up the wrong tree.

To have a wrong guess or idea about someone or some situation, efforts and attentions being diverted in a wrong direction

John’s father wanted to make him an architect, but he was barking up the wrong tree.

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    "bark up the wrong tree." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/idioms/bark-up-the-wrong-tree>.

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