1bark 
/ˈbɑɚk/ verb
barks; barked; barking /ˈbɑɚk/ verb 1 [no obj] of a dog : to make a short loud sound
▪ The dog only barks when someone approaches the house. 2 : to shout or say (something) in a loud and angry way [+ obj] ▪ The captain barked orders/commands to the crew. ▪ “Come over at once!” he barked (at/to her). — often + out ▪ The captain barked out an order to the crew. [no obj] ▪ He was barking into the phone, giving orders to one of his employees. ▪ The captain barked at the crew.
▪ The dog only barks when someone approaches the house.
barking up the wrong tree
informal : trying to do something in a way that will not be successful
▪ If you are looking for money, you're barking up the wrong tree. [=you are asking the wrong person] ▪ She claims that researchers are barking up the wrong tree by focusing on conventional forms of treatment for the disease.
▪ If you are looking for money, you're barking up the wrong tree. [=you are asking the wrong person] ▪ She claims that researchers are barking up the wrong tree by focusing on conventional forms of treatment for the disease.
