Barking up the Wrong Tree

Meaning: To accuse someone of causing

a problem that they didn't cause. Or, to pursue a misguided course of action.

Origin: From the early 1800s when dogs were used on hunts. Some intelligent animals would trick dogs into believing they were in a certain tree but they were actually in another one. This is why dogs would bark while standing under the wrong tree.

Examples

“Talk to Lindsey. You're barking up the wrong tree for this project. I'm not in charge.”

“I'm so tired of Jed barking up the wrong tree. I haven't done anything wrong at all.”