wide of the mark

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Explanation of "Wide of the Mark"

Meaning: The phrase "wide of the mark" means to be incorrect or not accurate, especially when referring to a guess, statement, or action. It suggests that something is far from what is true or intended.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "wide of the mark" when you want to express that someone's idea, prediction, or statement is significantly off or not close to the truth.
• It is often used in discussions, debates, or when giving feedback.

Examples:

1. Simple Example:
   "Her answer to the math problem was wide of the mark; she didn't consider the negative numbers."

2. Contextual Example:
   "The journalist's claim that the event was poorly attended was wide of the mark; in fact, it was a huge success."

Advanced Usage:

In more formal or literary contexts, you might see "wide of the mark" used to describe arguments or theories that are not only incorrect but also lack substantial evidence or reasoning.

Word Variants:

• Wide: This word refers to something having a large distance from side to side.
• Mark: In this context, "mark" refers to a target or standard that one aims to reach.

Different Meanings:

• The phrase itself is primarily used in the context of being incorrect or inaccurate. However, "wide" can also describe physical dimensions, and "mark" can refer to a stain, score, or symbol.

Synonyms:

• Off target
• Incorrect
• Misguided
• Far from the truth

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While "wide of the mark" is a specific phrase, here are a couple of related idioms: - "Miss the mark": Similar in meaning, it refers to failing to achieve a desired outcome or goal. - Example: "His attempt to apologize was nice, but it really missed the mark."

Summary:

The phrase "wide of the mark" is a useful expression to indicate that something is inaccurate or off-target.

Academic

Adjective

1. not on target
   • the kick was wide
   • the arrow was wide of the mark
   • a claim that was wide of the truth

Synonyms

• wide