behind target

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "behind target" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts such as project management or performance evaluation to indicate that progress or results are not meeting the expected goals or deadlines. Example: "The team is currently behind target for the project deadline, and we need to implement strategies to get back on track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"Three deer, gully behind Target near Englewood Ave".

The New York Times

Tax collection is falling behind target: revenues were up by only 3.6% in the first ten months of the year, compared with a hoped-for 8.7%.

The Economist

But by the end of May 2012, with our sales lagging far behind target and our backlog disappearing, I called Mr. Waks.

The New York Times

"With UK renewable heat deployment falling desperately behind target, government should be full square behind this technology as part of a strategic plan to permanently bring down heating costs for British families.

The Guardian

A spokesman for KEDO, the American-led consortium building two western-designed nuclear reactors in North Korea, confirmed a report this week that the North now knows what has long been an open secret: the first of the reactors, part of a 1994 deal to end the North's nuclear-weapons dabbling, will probably not be finished until 2008, five years behind target.

The Economist

The Sears Web site ranks third among department store retailers' sites, behind Target's and Wal-Mart's.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Zahorchak helped implement the release of Pennsylvania's first Academic Achievement Reports, and led the development and implementation of support systems for public schools trying to meet No Child Left Behind targets.

Wikipedia

Indeed, teachers are facing increased pressure to help students meet No Child Left Behind targets and other goals with less time in the classroom.

The New York Times

The idea behind target-date retirement funds is to keep things simple by providing an optimal asset allocation, given an investor's age, in just one fund.

Forbes

Male circumcision decreases HIV acquisition by 60%, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) almost eliminates HIV transmission from HIV-positive people who are virally suppressed; however, coverage of these interventions has lagged behind targets.

The Lancet HIV

As noted by historian Ian Pfennigwerth, McNicoll held this position at a time in which recruitment and retention in the Navy particularly lagged behind targets.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "behind target", be specific about the target that is not being met. Include quantifiable data to support the assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "behind target" without clearly defining what the target is and the extent of the shortfall. Provide specific numbers or data to illustrate the situation and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "behind target" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used as an adjective to describe a situation or entity that is not meeting its goals or deadlines. Ludwig AI examples show its versatility across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "behind target" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is not meeting its expected goals or deadlines. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its broad applicability across different registers, from news reporting to scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the target and quantifying the shortfall. Alternatives such as "falling short of expectations" or "not on track" offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falling short of expectations

Focuses on the unmet expectations rather than a specific target.

not on track

Emphasizes the deviation from the planned course or timeline.

lagging behind schedule

Highlights the temporal aspect of not meeting the target.

off pace

Suggests a slower rate of progress compared to the desired speed.

missing the mark

Implies a failure to achieve the intended outcome or objective.

below par

Indicates performance that is less than satisfactory or average.

underperforming

Highlights a lack of expected performance or output.

not up to scratch

Suggests that something does not meet the required standard or quality.

in arrears

Specifically refers to being late with payments or obligations.

off the beam

Implies a significant deviation from the correct path or target.

FAQs

How can I use "behind target" in a sentence?

You can use "behind target" to indicate that progress or results are not meeting the expected goals or deadlines. For example: "The sales team is currently "behind target" for the quarter".

What can I say instead of "behind target"?

You can use alternatives like "falling short of expectations", "not on track", or "lagging behind schedule" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "behind target" or "behind the target"?

"Behind target" is generally preferred. "Behind the target" is less common and might imply a physical position rather than a state of progress.

What does it mean to be "behind target" in project management?

In project management, being "behind target" means that the project is not progressing according to the planned schedule or budget. It indicates that milestones or deliverables are not being achieved on time or within the allocated resources.