How Do You Spell BARKS UP WRONG TREE?

Pronunciation: [bˈɑːks ˌʌp ɹˈɒŋ tɹˈiː] (IPA)

"Barks up wrong tree" is a common idiomatic expression that means to pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action. It is believed that this phrase originated from hunting dogs who mistakenly bark at the wrong tree while trying to locate prey. In terms of spelling, "barks up wrong tree" follows the typical English phonetic transcription with the /b/ sound, the diphthong /ɑr/ and the /k/ sound. The "s" ending is used to indicate the third-person singular form of the verb "bark." [bɑrks ʌp rɒŋ tri:]

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Basic Check Advanced Check

BARKS UP WRONG TREE Meaning and Definition

  1. The idiomatic phrase "barks up the wrong tree" is an expression used to describe someone who is pursuing a mistaken course of action or making incorrect assumptions about a situation or person. The phrase originates from the portrayal of hunting dogs, such as hounds, that bark loudly at the base of a tree, mistakenly assuming that their target, generally a small animal, is located there, while the actual target may be in a different tree altogether.

    Metaphorically, when someone "barks up the wrong tree," they are investing time, energy, or effort in a direction that is unlikely to yield the desired results or information. This often indicates a lack of understanding or awareness about the true nature of a problem or the correct path to a solution. It can also imply that the person is accusing the wrong individual or group for a particular situation, holding them responsible when they are innocent or unrelated to the issue.

    This idiom can be used both in professional and personal contexts. For instance, if someone is accusing the wrong colleague of making a mistake at work, they could be said to be barking up the wrong tree. Similarly, if someone is directing their frustration or blame towards the wrong person in a personal conflict or relationship disagreement, they are barking up the wrong tree. Overall, the phrase serves as a vivid metaphor to highlight the futility and misdirection of pursuing incorrect assumptions or actions.

Common Misspellings for BARKS UP WRONG TREE

  • bark up wrong treee
  • barkes up wrong tree
  • varks up wrong tree
  • narks up wrong tree
  • harks up wrong tree
  • garks up wrong tree
  • bzrks up wrong tree
  • bsrks up wrong tree
  • bwrks up wrong tree
  • bqrks up wrong tree
  • baeks up wrong tree
  • badks up wrong tree
  • bafks up wrong tree
  • batks up wrong tree
  • ba5ks up wrong tree
  • ba4ks up wrong tree
  • barjs up wrong tree
  • barms up wrong tree
  • barls up wrong tree
  • baros up wrong tree