Business English from All Ears English BE 505: Want to Improve Your English? Don't Bark Up the Wrong Tree
Dec 18, 2025
Discover the meaning behind the idiom 'bark up the wrong tree' and its 1800s origins related to hunting. Learn how to apply this phrase in business, including recognizing when teams misdirect blame. Explore alternative phrases for smoother professional communication, and understand the importance of admitting mistakes. Through real-world examples, uncover the risks of poor pivots in business. Plus, get tips on how to respectfully correct colleagues while promoting honest self-assessment as a key to success.
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Meaning And Origin Of The Phrase
- "Barking up the wrong tree" means looking in the wrong place for a solution or answer.
- The phrase evokes hunting dogs barking at the base of a tree where the prey is not present.
Redirect Gently With Hedging Language
- Use the expression to redirect efforts gently by suggesting a different focus.
- Hedge with phrases like "I think" to stay respectful when correcting colleagues or supervisors.
Sunk Costs Make Course Correction Hard
- The sunk-cost effect makes it hard for companies to stop investing in failing directions.
- Admitting you're 'barking up the wrong tree' and pivoting early is often a competitive advantage.