源自猎狗追逐猎物时的场景。如果猎物已经逃到了另一棵树上，猎狗却对着原来的树狂吠，就是“对着错误的树叫”。形容推论错误或努力的方向不对。

• If you think I took your money, you’re barking up the wrong tree. ^{如果你觉得是我拿了你的钱，那你可找错人了。}
• The police realized they were barking up the wrong tree with the initial suspect. ^{警方意识到他们对最初嫌疑人的调查方向搞错了。}
• You’re barking up the wrong tree if you expect her to change her mind. ^{如果你指望她改变主意，那你可就想错了。}