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  • on-target
    on-target
    adjective
    correct, accurate, or adhering closely to an anticipated outcome.
  • on target
    on target
    Completely accurate, wholly valid, as in Our cost estimates were right on target, or His criticisms were on target. This seemingly old expression dates only from the mid-1900s, and the colloquial use of target for a goal one wishes to achieve dates from about 1940.
Synonyms

on-target

American  
[on-tahr-git, awn-] / ˈɒnˈtɑr gɪt, ˈɔn- /

adjective

  1. correct, accurate, or adhering closely to an anticipated outcome.

    an on-target forecast for the weekend weather.


on target Idioms  
  1. Completely accurate, wholly valid, as in Our cost estimates were right on target, or His criticisms were on target. This seemingly old expression dates only from the mid-1900s, and the colloquial use of target for a goal one wishes to achieve dates from about 1940.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

His 'expected goals on target conceded' tally - which measures the likelihood of an on-target shot resulting in a goal - is 20.85.

From BBC Jan. 26, 2026

McGregor's superb effort was Celtic's first on-target effort of the entire game and came beyond the four minutes of added-on time indicated by the match officials.

From Barron's Nov. 22, 2025

From there, Kaj delivered an on-target pitch/roll to Betts, who brought the ball back to his son.

From Los Angeles Times May 14, 2025

"Compared to an intact editor, our version reduces overall off-target edits by over 70% and increases the accuracy of on-target edits," Zeng said.

From Science Daily Sep. 21, 2023

I would kick that red ball far into the outfield: hard, and on-target.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

Villa have had the lowest number of shots in the Premier League with 33, compared to Tottenham's 51, while their six on target is also the worst in the top flight followed by Spurs' 12.

From BBC Sep. 19, 2026

However clinical Newcastle were in the opening weeks of the campaign, they mustered just eight efforts on target against Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth before their trip to Elland Road.

From BBC Sep. 14, 2026

Across the US, MakeMyMove says it helped 1,000 people in total relocate last year, and is on target to increase that to 1,500 in 2026.

From BBC Sep. 14, 2026

Annual inflation is set to be around 6.0%-7.0% in 2026, return to 4.0% in 2027, and will stay on target further on, the bank said.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 11, 2026

Knowing he had only seconds, Harry straightened up, took aim, and lobbed it into the air; it landed right on target in Goyle’s cauldron.

From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling

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