Barking up the wrong tree

Meaning

Accusing or pursuing the wrong person/idea; making a false assumption.

Usage

Helpful when gently correcting someone who is making a misguided criticism or assumption.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Hunting dogs would bark at the base of a tree where they thought prey had climbed, even if it had escaped elsewhere.

Early American hunting literature in the 1800s documented the phrase; it spread into colloquial speech by the late 19th century.