on the wrong track
on the wrong track
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.
See also: on, track, wrong
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
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: on, track, wrong
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
on the wrong track
COMMON If someone or something is on the wrong track, they are acting or developing in a way that is likely to result in failure. Do you think the country is going in the right direction or is it headed on the wrong track? The standard of careers advice given to school-leavers is generally terrible, setting us off on the wrong track from the start.
See also: on, track, wrong
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
- be on the wrong track
- on the wrong tack
- be on the right track
- be on the right/wrong track
- on the right track
- right tack/track, to take/on the
- be on the right lines
- be onto a winner
- on the right tack
- progress with