barking up the wrong tree

US /ˈbɑːrkɪŋ ʌp ðə rɔŋ triː/
UK /ˈbɑːrkɪŋ ʌp ðə rɔŋ triː/
"barking up the wrong tree" picture
1.

找错了对象, 弄错了

to be pursuing a mistaken course of action or to have a wrong idea about something

:
If you think I stole your pen, you're barking up the wrong tree; I haven't seen it.
如果你认为我偷了你的笔,那你就是找错了对象;我没见过它。
The police were barking up the wrong tree when they suspected the innocent man.
警方怀疑无辜男子,是找错了对象