be/fall wide of the mark

be wide of the mark

1. Literally, to be far from hitting a target. Wow, that shot was really wide of the mark. Is the ball even on the fairway? Watch out, that arrow is wide of the mark! A: "I guess my slapshot was a little wide of the mark." B: "You think? It almost took my head off!"

2. By extension, to be inaccurate or wrong. I never once said that! Your reporter is completely wide of the mark in her accusations. I thought I knew what real estate costs around here, but wow, I was wide of the mark. Wow, it seems the polling data for the gubernatorial election was wide of the mark.

See also: mark, of, wide

fall wide of the mark

1. Literally, to be far from hitting a target. Wow, that shot really fell wide of the mark. Is the ball even still on the green? Watch out, that arrow is falling wide of the mark! A: "I guess my slapshot fell a little wide of the mark." B: "You think? It almost took my head off!"

2. By extension, to be inaccurate or wrong. I never once said that! Your reporter's accusations fall completely wide of the mark. I thought I knew what real estate costs around here, but wow, I fell wide of the mark. Wow, it seems the polling data for the gubernatorial election fell wide of the mark.

See also: fall, mark, of, wide

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

be/fall wide of the ˈmark

(also be (a long) way off the ˈmark) be not at all correct or accurate: No one knew where Bangalore was, and their guesses were all wide of the mark. OPPOSITE: on the nose

See also: fall, mark, of, wide

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017