off-base

[ awf-beys, of- ]

adjective

1. located outside the perimeters of a military base:

   off-base housing for officers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of off-base¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Idioms and Phrases

Wrong, relying on a mistaken premise, as in His description of the accounting system was totally off base . This metaphoric term originated in baseball, where a runner who steps off a base can be put out. [c. 1940]

Example Sentences

But recent criticism that the DOJ has been too aggressive in its efforts to bring the former president to justice is simply off base.

From Slate

"Democrats and others who see Trump as the threat he is need to keep saying why. His effort to silence criticism is off base and he will do more than argue if he regains state power."

From Salon

"Democrats and others who see Trump as the threat he is need to keep saying why. His effort to silence criticism is off base and he will do more than argue if he regains state power."

From Salon

Chutkan responded that she didn’t find Cannon’s ruling that the special counsel was improperly appointed “particularly persuasive” — an understatement of the consensus that it was wildly off base.

From Los Angeles Times

I appreciate Biden’s sentiment, but I think he’s off base.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• erroneous
• inaccurate
• mistaken
• sadly mistaken
• wrong