Which of the following best explains the idiom 'Barking up the wrong tree'?
Difficulty: Medium
About this MCQ
This Medium Idioms and Phrases question asks: Which of the following best explains the idiom 'Barking up the wrong tree'? The correct choice is B. Pursuing a mistaken course of action based on a faulty assumption. Read the options below, commit to one, then use the explanation to see why that choice holds and why the others do not.
Idioms and Phrases items like this one are written for Pakistan exams such as CSS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS. The difficulty label is a hint about how much of the topic the stem assumes, not a score. Tags and exam names, when they are present, tell you where else the same idea is tested. Previous and next links stay in Idioms and Phrases so you can continue the subject. Related questions point at nearby stems if you want another angle on the same idea.
Treat the explanation as part of the question, not a footnote. If you missed it, reread the stem against the correct option before you open the next Idioms and Phrases item. A timed quiz is the same pool with a clock and a score. A past paper is a full sitting rather than this single question.
- A. To remain cheerful and optimistic in a difficult situation
Why not A: “To remain cheerful and optimistic in a difficult situation” does not fit this question. The answer is Pursuing a mistaken course of action based on a faulty assumption.
- B. Pursuing a mistaken course of action based on a faulty assumption ✓
- C. A general principle based on practical experience rather than exact measurement
Why not C: “A general principle based on practical experience rather than exact measurement” does not fit this question. The answer is Pursuing a mistaken course of action based on a faulty assumption.
- D. To fail to keep a promise that was made
Why not D: “To fail to keep a promise that was made” does not fit this question. The answer is Pursuing a mistaken course of action based on a faulty assumption.
Correct answer
B. Pursuing a mistaken course of action based on a faulty assumption
Explanation
Pursuing a mistaken course of action based on a faulty assumption is the term that matches “Which of the following best explains the idiom 'Barking up the wrong tree'” (option B). Option A (To remain cheerful and optimistic in a difficult situation) does not fit this question. Option C (A general principle based on practical experience rather than exact measurement) does not fit this question. Option D (To fail to keep a promise that was made) does not fit this question. For this Idioms and Phrases question, the accepted answer is Pursuing a mistaken course of action based on a faulty assumption.
Source: Idioms and Phrases Official FPSC/NTS/PPSC-Style Reference Guide
Tags: English, Idioms, FPSC, PPSC, phrases, NTS
Submitted by: MCQsHub Editorial
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