Practice not being too literal # 48

Question

As my title says, I am trying to learn to not be literal in translations, so every day I will post a saying in English and ask for suggestions as to how to convey the thought in Spanish. At the end of the day, I will pick the answer that I think most accurately reflects the idea, and I will choose it as best answer for 20 points to the respondent.

Today's phrase is, "barking up the wrong tree"

Have fun and good luck!

Good one! - --Mariana--, Sep 17, 2012

Answer 1

"barking up the wrong tree"

• Tomar el rábano por las hojas (Está equivocado)

Ex.

You think that I'm going to fall for that trick but you are barking up the wrong tree.

¡Crees que voy a caer en tu trampa pero tomas el rábano por las hojas!

Answer 2

You are looking in the wrong place. Estás buscando en el lugar equivocado.

Answer 3

Estás corriendo detrás de una liebre falsa y este gasta mucho tiempo y no resultará en nada.

You're on the wrong track, basically.

Answer 4

You're asking the wrong person for an answer.

Preguntando la persona equivocada para una respuesta

Answer 5

Please excuse double post.

Answer 6

I got this from a book I'm reading ,so this is not my interpretation and doesn't qualify. I wanted to share it anyway. "A buen santo te encomiendas".