bark up the wrong tree 找错了对象

【俚语源头】

这个俚语的起源可以追溯到于17世纪美国殖民地时期，拓荒者们靠狩猎谋生。狩猎者通常都会带着猎犬去打猎，当猎物逃到树上时，猎犬就会循着气味在树下吠叫，但即使再聪明的猎狗有时也会被猎物欺骗，比如浣熊白天休息，晚上爬树，让猎狗误以为它们依然在洞穴里睡觉等，而在没有猎物的树下叫，岂不是找错了对象？

【经典运用】

Our boss has barked up the wrong tree. Jerry should not been blamed for the loss.

我们老板发火发错对象了，损失不是由杰瑞造成的。

You're barking up the wrong tree if you're expecting us to lend you any money.

你要是指望我们借钱给你，你是走错庙门了。《牛津高阶英汉双解词典》

Scientists in Switzerland realised that most other researchers had been barking up the wrong tree.

瑞士科学家意识到其他研究者大多研究方向不对头。

Little did Job realise that he was barking up the wrong tree.

乔布没有意识到他搞错方向了。

I had kept telling you all along that you are barking up the wrong tree, yet you did not pay any heed and continued doing it.

我一直在告诉你，你找错了方向，但你没有理会并继续这样做。

If you wanna borrow money from me, you bark up the wrong tree.

要想找我借钱，你找错了对象。

If he expects to borrow money from me, he is barking up the wrong tree.

如果他想向我借钱的话，那他是找错了对象。

If you think I can come up with more money, you're barking up the wrong tree.

如果你认为我能拿出更多的钱，那你就错了。

Mr. Smith may bark up the wrong tree if he thinks he can fool her.

如果史密斯先生认为可以愚弄她的话,那他就认错人了。

You are barking up the wrong tree if you think Sam can help you.

你要是认为萨姆能够帮助你，那你是找错了对象。

I am not the person who spread those rumours about you, you are barking up the wrong tree.

我不是散布那些关于你的谣言的人，你找错了对象了。

You're barking up the wrong tree if you think I was the one who said you were leaving. It wasn't me!

如果你认为我是那个说你要离开的人，那你就错了。不是我！

If you think I'm the guilty person, you're barking up the wrong tree.如果你认为我有罪，那你就错怪我了。

It was a very sensitive case and yet for over one year the investigators kept barking up the wrong tree.

这是一个非常敏感的案件，然而一年多以来，调查人员一直找错方向。

If you think I was the guy who robbed that bank today, you're barking up the wrong tree! I was nowhere near the place.

要是你认为我是今天抢银行的那个人，那你就错怪我了。我根本就没上那儿去。

If you think I'll help you cheat, you are definitely barking up the wrong tree.

如果你认为我会帮你作弊，那你就大错特错了(找错人了）。

I know you think the monkey in the zoo took your wallet, but you are barking up the wrong tree.

我知道你认为是动物园的猴子拿走了你的钱包，但是你搞错了。

If you think you will solve the problem by following those steps, you are barking up the wrong tree.

如果你认为按照这些步骤就能解决问题，那你就错了。

I think you will help me. But it seems that I am barking up the wrong tree.

我以为你会帮我，但是看来我错了。

If you think I have enough spare cash to pay for your holiday, then you're barking up the wrong tree.

如果你认为我有足够的闲钱来支付你的假期，那你就错了。