on the wrong track

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on the wrong track

1. Lit. [of a train] following the wrong set of tracks. We had to back up, because somehow we got on the wrong track.

2. Fig. going the wrong way; following the wrong set of assumptions. You'll never get the right answer. You're on the wrong track. They won't get it figured out because they are on the wrong track.

See also: track, wrong

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? References in classic literature
"But if you mean to hint that it could reflect in any way upon this lady's honour"--his eyes blazed for an instant, and then with an evident effort he got a grip upon his own emotions--"well, you are on the wrong track, that's all. The Valley of Fear by Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan View in context More results

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