Barking up the wrong tree: The English We Speak

Feifei: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak.

I’m Feifei…

Rob: And I’m Rob. Hello.

Errr, Feifei, you’re looking a bit angry.

Feifei: Me, angry! I am angry.

Rob: Oh no, what’s the problem?

Feifei: I think you know Rob.

Somebody told the boss

that I spilt coffee over his computer

yesterday – and now he’s angry with me.

Rob: Oh no. What kind of mean and horrible person

would try and get you into trouble?

Feifei: You and the boss were the only people

left in the office last night. Hmmm?

Rob: Whoa – hold on Feifei. If you are implying

it was me who told the boss, then you are

barking up the wrong tree.

Feifei: Please don’t make me any angrier

by saying that I am like a dog!

Rob: No, no Feifei. Just calm down.

I should be angry because you are making the wrong

assumption about who told the boss, OK?

That’s what I mean by barking up the wrong tree –

you want to blame someone but you got the wrong

person. I didn’t even know you had done it.

Feifei: OK, I’m sorry. So the phrase ‘barking up the wrong

tree’ means making the wrong assumption

when trying to achieve something.

Shall we hear some examples while I make you

a coffee to say sorry…?

Examples: If you think I have enough spare cash

to pay for your holiday, then you’re

barking up the wrong tree.

You’re barking up the wrong tree if you think

I was the one who said you were leaving.

It wasn’t me!

You’re barking up the wrong tree if you think

I’m going to lend you my car. I’ve seen how you drive!

Feifei: You’re listening to The English We Speak.

We’re talking about the phrase

‘barking up the wrong tree’.

It means to make a wrong assumption

about someone or something.

Rob: The phrase can also mean doing something

in a way that will not work – you’re basically

wasting your time. Like a detective trying to solve

a crime by obviously arresting the

wrong man – he’s barking up the wrong tree.

Feifei: Ok Rob understood – and here’s your coffee

to say sorry for barking up the wrong tree.

Rob: Thanks – make sure you don’t spill it this time.

The boss would be really angry!

(ANGRY DOG GROWL!) …what did I say?

Feifei: If I find out you did tell the boss,

I’ll make sure to bark up the right tree,

OK?

Rob: Oh Feifei, I hope your bark is worse than your bite.

Bye.

Feifei: Bye