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bark up the wrong tree

phrase

: to promote or follow a mistaken course (as in doing research)

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bark tree
bark up the wrong tree
barky
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“Bark up the wrong tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bark%20up%20the%20wrong%20tree. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Definition revised
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