Fig.: to waste one's energy or efforts in the wrong direction

If you came looking for money, you are barking up the wrong tree. No chance, my dear, the party is over

Se sei venuto a bussare a quattrini, hai sbagliato indirizzo, mio caro. Qui non ce n'è più per nessuno

If you think I have something to do with your missing stereo, you are barking up the wrong tree. At that time I wasn't even near your place

Se credi che io abbia qualcosa a che fare con la sparizione del tuo stereo, stai sbagliando indirizzo. Io, a quell'ora, non ero nemmeno vicino a casa tua

If you came to me for some sympathy and understanding because you think everyone is against you, you are barking up the wrong tree. You are a total jerk and deserve no sympathy at all!

Se vieni da me pensando di essere compatito e compreso perché tutti ce l'hanno con te, sei fuori strada. Sei un cretino fatto e finito e non meriti compassione

If we keep on saying that the latest environmental disasters are not caused by climate change, we are barking up the wrong tree

Se continuamo a dire che i recenti e molteplici disastri ambientale non sono dovuti ai cambiamenti climatici, stiamo abbaiando alla luna

The term dates back to the early 1800s, when raccoon-hunting was a popular American frontier practice. Raccoons are nocturnal animals, generally hunted on moonlit nights with the help of trained hounds. Sometimes, though, the dogs are fooled and they crowd around a tree, barking loudly to announce that they have treed the raccoon, when it has, in fact, got away. The hunter, trusting his hounds, would then end up focusing on the wrong tree