What is another word for barking up the wrong tree?
Pronunciation: [bˈɑːkɪŋ ˌʌp ðə ɹˈɒŋ tɹˈiː] (IPA) 
When you accuse someone of "barking up the wrong tree," you are essentially telling them that they are pursuing the wrong course or path. This idiom is commonly used when someone is pursuing something that is unlikely to succeed because they are looking in the wrong place. Some synonyms for "barking up the wrong tree" include "chasing a red herring," "going down the wrong path," "looking in the wrong direction," "pursuing a dead end," and "focusing on the wrong target." All of these phrases convey the same essential meaning: that someone is wasting time and effort on a fruitless pursuit.
