What does the idiom 'Barking up the wrong tree' mean?
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Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct meaning of the idiom "Barking up the wrong tree" is accusing wrongly.
General Meaning: The idiom refers to pursuing a mistaken line of thought or course of action. It describes a situation where someone is wasting effort by looking for a solution or a person to blame in the entirely wrong place.
Origin: This phrase originates from raccoon hunting in America. Dogs would track a raccoon to a tree and bark at it to alert the hunter. If the raccoon had already jumped to a different tree, the dog would be "barking up the wrong tree," meaning its effort was directed at a target that was no longer there.
Example: If you think I stole your lunch, you're barking up the wrong tree; I wasn't even in the office today.