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.
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]