off the mark

Idioms and Phrases

Also, wide of the mark . Inaccurate, wrong, as in The forecast was off the mark, since unemployment is down , or His answers on the test were just wide of the mark . It is also put as miss the mark , meaning “be mistaken,” as in The minister missed the mark when he assumed everyone would contribute to the supper . All these terms allude to mark in the sense of “a target,” as do the antonyms on the mark and hit the mark , meaning “exactly right,” as in He was right on the mark with that budget amendment , or Bill hit the mark when he accused Tom of lying . [Mid-1300s]

Example Sentences

Chris had to wait a long time for his first win of the season but, after finally getting off the mark in week eight, he is now celebrating back-to-back victories.

From BBC

Portugal lead Group A1 on six points, with Croatia and Poland both on three and Scotland yet to get off the mark.

From BBC

But they are off the mark and though they will be favourites in their next match against Sri Lanka on Wednesday, are still under huge pressure to reach the semi-finals with defending champions Australia still to come in their group.

From BBC

That Leigh could not manage to get off the mark in the first half when they had threatened with the ball themselves was testament to Salford's impressive defensive efforts, with Nene Macdonald ending a promising Leopards move shortly before the break.

From BBC

The Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Rams got off the mark and piled more misery on the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers respectively after contrasting comeback attempts.

From BBC

Related Words

• bogus
• deceitful
• dishonest
• distorted
• erroneous
• fake
• fanciful
• faulty
• fictitious
• fraudulent
• improper
• inaccurate
• incorrect
• invalid
• misleading
• mistaken
• phony
• specious
• spurious
• unfounded