be on the wrong track

To be progressing in a way that will likely fail or be unsuccessful. All of these protestors think that we're really on the wrong track with this new environmental initiative. Considering all of our failed experiments, our team must be on the wrong track. If your business has been hemorrhaging money these last two quarters, something is clearly on the wrong track.

be on the right/wrong ˈtrack

be thinking or acting in the right/wrong way to find the answer to a problem: We haven’t found a solution to the problem yet, but I think we’re on the right track. ♢ You’re on the wrong track, I’m afraid. The information you want isn’t here.