off-message

American  

[awf-mes-ij, of‐] / ˈɔfˈmɛs ɪdʒ, ˈɒf‐ /

adjective

1. 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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off message British  

adjective

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

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Etymology

Origin of off-message

An Americanism dating back to 1990–95; off ( def. ) + message ( def. )

Example Sentences

That students aren’t allowed to ever be off-message and self-aggrandizing?

From Slate

Then he quickly went off-message, touting a cognitive test he took as president, his administration’s campaign against the Islamic State group and other familiar themes.

From Seattle Times

You're talking to the off-message daughter.

From Salon

What, then, should we make of a remarkable dressing down he was subjected to when he went off-message during the security council meeting?

From BBC

As a player, Knorr never liked receiving a plan over and over, whether coaches were aligned or off-message.

From Washington Post