What Does "Bark up the Wrong Tree" Mean?
"Bark up the wrong tree" is an English idiom. It means "to pursue a mistaken or misguided line of thought or action."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "bark up the wrong tree" used in a sentence:- If you think I'm the one who stole your lunch, you're barking up the wrong tree.
- He's been trying to solve the issue by adjusting the settings, but I think he's barking up the wrong tree.
- Accusing her of cheating is barking up the wrong tree; she's always been honest.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Bark up the Wrong Tree" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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