off the mark

1. Also, wide of the mark. Inaccurate, wrong, as in The forecast was off the mark, since unemployment is down, or His answers on the test were just wide of the mark. It is also put as miss the mark, meaning “be mistaken,” as in The minister missed the mark when he assumed everyone would contribute to the supper. All these terms allude to mark in the sense of “a target,” as do the antonyms on the mark and hit the mark, meaning “exactly right,” as in He was right on the mark with that budget amendment, or Bill hit the mark when he accused Tom of lying. [Mid-1300s]

Example Sentences

Now, in her seventh appearance, she has finally got off the mark.

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Taylor believes it has created unrealistic expectations and that those who expected it to create a decision-making "utopia" were "way off the mark".

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Selles' comments upon taking the Bramall Lane role hinted that rumours of Wilder being uncomfortable with AI-led recruitment models may not have been far off the mark.

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Forward Mikel Merino is yet to get off the mark for the Gunners this season but scored in Spain's World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria before netting a hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Turkey.

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While the expected range went from black to charcoal and silver gray and on to his beloved beige, his colors were artfully off the mark.

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Related Words

• bogus 
• deceitful 
• dishonest 
• distorted 
• erroneous 
• fake 
• fanciful 
• faulty 
• fictitious 
• fraudulent 
• improper 
• inaccurate 
• incorrect 
• invalid 
• misleading 
• mistaken 
• phony 
• specious 
• spurious 
• unfounded