不着调

不着调:

Literally means:

not be able to find the right tune in singing

Actually means:

Figuratively it means that one fails to catch the main important aspect of a matter, but focuses his attention on unimportant or trivial things. It connotes criticism or irony. Derogatory.

唱歌没有按照正确的调子来唱。

比喻抓不住事 情最主要的方面，反而去做那些不重要的事情， 也指做些比较琐碎的事情。多含批评或讽刺的口吻。具有贬义色彩。