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You’re Barking Up The Wrong Tree
When the police arrested Henry for robbery, he told them “You’re barking up the wrong tree, Officer. It wasn’t me!”
When Jake accused his colleague of stealing his favourite coffee mug, his colleague said “You’re barking up the wrong tree, it wasn’t me!”
To bark up the wrong tree means to make the wrong choice, ask the wrong person or follow the wrong course.
So what happened to Henry? He told the police they were barking up the wrong tree, but unfortunately for Henry, he couldn’t afford a decent lawyer so now he’s twiddling his thumbs in jail.
As for Jake and his favourite coffee mug, that’s another story. It turned out that it was his boss who had stolen it which left Jake between a rock and a hard place.
Further examples:
Nick didn’t finish your special chocolate cake, you’re barking up the wrong tree. I saw Mason eating it this morning!
I’m so bored at home, when will the lockdown end? I spend all day twiddling my thumbs trying to think of something to do.
Did you finish the book? It turned out that the real murderer was the town Doctor, unbelievable!
What should I do? If I tell Sophie her boyfriend kissed another girl she will be devastated. If I don’t tell her she will be furious with me…….. I’m between a rock and a hard place!