far off course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far off course" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a common idiomatic phrase that means something is not going as planned or expected. Example: After taking a wrong turn, the hikers found themselves far off course and had to backtrack for hours to get back on track.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

In the early 1980's, he did not seem far off course.

The New York Times

Because such birds appear to be almost-stationary targets, the hunter slows his swing, forgetting that such a wind will carry his shot charge far off course.

The New York Times - Sports

This behavioral tick could steer your career far off course, and you'd likely have no idea why.

Forbes

While investors loved them, Roadmaps 2010 and 2015 took IBM far off course in meeting the needs of its customers and employees.

Forbes

Without looking many moves ahead, Penn steered the Clinton campaign far off course.

Huffington Post

A small tug of the rope at the high level gets multiplied as it goes down the chain of command, and this multiplication of force can easily drag even the most competent workers far off course.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Investigators need to find that in order to locate the flight data recorders that could help explain why the plane veered so far off-course.

The Guardian

There were media reports Tuesday, quoting Malaysia's air force chief, Gen. Rodzali Daud, saying that military radar picked up the plane Saturday flying far off-course, to the west, hundreds of miles from its scheduled flight path.

The Washington Post

Partway through the exercise, one of the new thrusters stopped working, and the kill vehicle veered far off-course.

Los Angeles Times

We share in her disorientation as she climbs her way to the deck, calling out frantically for Richard Sam Claflinn), and finds that the storm has severely damaged the boat and blown it far off-course.

Los Angeles Times

In fact, my husband and I have recently begun to abbreviate this sentiment, and will simply mention "AEP" if we feel one of us is veering far off-course, and the kids have gotten on board too!

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "far off course", ensure the context clearly establishes the intended path or goal from which a deviation has occurred. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "far off course" for minor deviations. The phrase implies a significant departure from the original path or plan. For slight deviations, consider alternatives like "slightly off track" or "a bit sidetracked".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far off course" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the extent of deviation from a planned route or intended direction. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across various contexts, indicating a broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "far off course" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a substantial deviation from a planned route or intended goal. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as an adverbial phrase with a neutral register, suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using "far off course", ensure the context clearly indicates the intended path and avoid using it for minor deviations. Alternatives like "deviated significantly" or "gone astray" may be suitable depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deviated significantly

Highlights the act of straying from a set path, emphasizing the extent of the divergence.

strayed considerably

Focuses on the action of wandering away, suggesting a notable distance from the original direction.

went astray

Implies a loss of direction or moral compass, indicating a negative connotation of being lost or misguided.

veered widely

Stresses a sharp turn or change in direction, suggesting a sudden and substantial deviation.

gotten sidetracked

Emphasizes a distraction from the main goal or plan, indicating a temporary or unintended divergence.

lost its way

Suggests a complete loss of direction, emphasizing the inability to find the original path.

gone off track

Implies a departure from a planned or expected route, highlighting a deviation from a predetermined course.

taken a detour

Highlights a temporary departure from the intended route, suggesting a planned or unplanned alternative path.

missed the mark

Focuses on the failure to achieve a desired outcome, indicating a deviation from the intended target or goal.

become misdirected

Indicates being led in the wrong direction, emphasizing the influence of external factors in the deviation.

FAQs

How can I use "far off course" in a sentence?

You can use "far off course" to describe a situation that has significantly deviated from its intended path. For example: "The project went "far off course" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What can I say instead of "far off course"?

You can use alternatives such as "deviated significantly", "gone astray", or "off track" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "far off course" in formal writing?

Yes, "far off course" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing strategic or directional errors. However, ensure that the tone aligns with the overall formality of the document.

What's the difference between "slightly off course" and "far off course"?

"Slightly off course" indicates a minor deviation, while "far off course" implies a substantial and potentially detrimental departure from the intended path. The choice depends on the magnitude of the deviation you wish to describe.