on the wrong scent

on the wrong scent

Following a false lead; chasing after the wrong person or thing. With this new clue, it's becoming clear that we've been on the wrong scent for months. The politician is a master of diverting criticism and negative attention away from himself by putting voters on the wrong scent.

See also: on, scent, wrong

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

wrong scent, on the

On a false trail or track, as in He managed to put the police on the wrong scent and got away. This term alludes to hunting with hounds. [c. 1600]

See also: on, wrong

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.