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UKwide of / off the mark
/wˈaɪd ɒv ˈɒf ðə mˈɑːk/
/wˈaɪd ʌv ˈɔf ðə mˈɑːɹk/wide of / off the mark
[PHRASE]
What is the origin of the idiom "wide of the mark" and when to use it?
The idiom "wide of the mark" originates from archery, where the "mark" refers to the target that the archer is aiming for. If an archer misses the target completely, their arrow would be said to have gone "wide of the mark." The idiom can be used to describe a wide range of situations, from a statement that is completely false to a plan that is based on incorrect assumptions. It is often used to criticize or dismiss someone or something as being completely off-base or misguided.
Examples
1. His prediction was wide of the mark, as the election results turned out to be completely different.
2. Their analysis is currently wide of the mark, as they haven't taken all the necessary data into account.
3. The second failure of Marxism is well known, but we should, nonetheless, mention it, which is that his historical predictions turned out to be hopelessly wide of the mark.
4. Rivers' throw is wide of the mark.
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