be 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 still on the green? Watch out, that arrow is wide of the mark!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.See also: mark, of, wide

wide of the mark

1. Literally, far from hitting a target. Wow, that shot was really wide of the mark. Is the ball even still on the green? Watch out, that arrow is going wide of the mark!2. By extension, 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.See also: mark, of, wide

*wide of the mark

 1. Lit. far from the target. (*Typically: be ~; fall ~.) Tom's shot was wide of the mark. The pitch was quite fast but wide of the mark. The arrow fell wide of the mark. 2. Fig. inadequate; far from what is required or expected. (*Typically: be ~; fall ~.) Jane's efforts were sincere but wide of the mark. He failed the course because everything he did was wide of the mark.See also: mark, of, wide

wide of the mark

COMMON If something that you say or write is wide of the mark, it is not correct or accurate. Any suggestions that we are putting pressure on Sir Michael to step down are very wide of the mark. For once, it seems that the government's figures might not be too wide of the mark. Note: The `mark' in this expression is the target used in archery or shooting. See also: mark, of, wide

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 noseSee also: fall, mark, of, wide