off-message

[ awf-mes-ij, of‐ ]

/ ˈɔfˈmɛs ɪdʒ, ˈɒf‐ /

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adjective

straying from or contradicting the central theme or official message of a political, business, or other organization: The last speaker was way off-message with his bad jokes and irrelevant anecdotes.

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Compare on-message.

Origin of off-message

An Americanism dating back to 1990–95; off + message

How to use off-message in a sentence

Although the blood-spattered offices will be off-limits, staff have vowed to continue producing the magazine.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A passing off-duty school safety officer named Fred Lucas said that he had been told the man was a drug dealer.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown|Michael Daly|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The NOPD fired Knight in 1973 for stealing lumber from a construction site as an off-duty cop.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
When it comes to educating our children, Congress should heed that message, not ignore it.
The ‘No Child’ Rewrite Threatens Your Kids’ Future|Jonah Edelman|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Leelah Alcorn's message was sent, and heard, and things started changing.
Cover-Ups and Concern Trolls: Actually, It's About Ethics in Suicide Journalism|Arthur Chu|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A far-off volley rumbled over the plain, and a few birds stirred uneasily among the trees.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
His head fell back limp on MacRae's arm, and the rest of the message went with the game old Dutchman across the big divide.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
We were interrupted at this moment by a message from General Houston, to whom we immediately hastened.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
"It will go through, if I live," calmly replied Harry, as he carefully concealed the message in the lining of his coat.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
In the telegraph office a young signaler was sending a thrilling message to Umballa, Lahore and the north.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy

British Dictionary definitions for off-message

off message

adjective

(off-message when prenominal) not adhering to or reflecting the official line of a political party, government, or other organization

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012