bark up the wrong tree Definition

bark¹
noun

1. The short sharp cry of a dog or fox, etc.

Thesaurus: yelp, yap, bay, snap, snarl, growl.

verb

intr
barked, barking
1. To make this sound.

Thesaurus: bay, snap, yap, yelp, yell, shout, bawl, bluster.

Idiom: bark up the wrong tree

colloq
To have the wrong idea, follow a mistaken course of action or investigation, etc

Etymology: 19c, originally US: from raccoon-hunting, in which dogs are used to locate raccoons up in the trees

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon beorcan.

Phrasal Verb: bark out something

To speak it loudly and sharply.