hitting the mark

USAGE SUMMARY

'hitting the mark' is a phrase that is used in written English.
It is often used to mean that someone/something has achieved a goal, either literally or figuratively. For example: The athlete's shot was perfect, hitting the mark right in the center of the target.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

FreeME strikes him as not quite hitting the mark.

The Guardian

So far Mr. Juliano seems to be hitting the mark with high-quality, fairly priced seafood.

The New York Times

TEDxYork, the most recent conference I attended, got closer to hitting the mark.

The Guardian

Even Sampras's potent first serve betrayed him, hitting the mark just 53percentt of the time.

The New York Times - Sports

The price fluctuated just short of $100 for months before hitting the mark shortly after noon yesterday.

The Washington Post

Unfortunately, despite both of our best efforts, I think [problem X still applies] and we're still not hitting the mark.

Harvard Business Review

Some films get very lucky with topical gags hitting the mark more effectively than the writers could have realised.

The Guardian - Film

So far, nothing was hitting the mark, but a documentary about the Vermont descendants of European stonemasons involved strikingly picturesque photography of stark, snowy vistas.

The New York Times

It is more of a disservice to let someone flounder, especially when it's clear that he or she just isn't hitting the mark.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

If he is hitting the marks, great.

The Guardian - Sport

Our commitment to them is hitting the mark--currently 11percentt of our students are military-affiliated, the highest per capita of any university in the 23-campus CSU system.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hitting the mark" when you want to emphasize the successful attainment of a specific goal or standard. It implies precision and accuracy.

Common error

While "hitting the mark" is widely understood, consider more formal alternatives like "achieving the objective" or "meeting expectations" in professional or academic writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hitting the mark" functions as a predicative expression, often describing the successful completion of a task or the achievement of a goal. Examples on Ludwig showcase its usage in diverse contexts, from sports to business and creative endeavors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hitting the mark" is a very common phrase used to express successful achievement, accuracy, or the meeting of expectations. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules. Predominantly found in News & Media, but also used in Formal & Business and Scientific contexts, it carries a neutral tone, making it versatile for various communication styles. For more formal settings, alternative phrases such as "achieving the goal" might be considered. With numerous examples available on Ludwig, "hitting the mark" is a readily understandable and useful expression in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

achieving the goal

Focuses on the successful attainment of a specific objective.

reaching the target

Emphasizes successfully reaching a predetermined target or objective.

nailing it

A more informal way of saying that someone has done something perfectly.

getting it right

Highlights the correctness and accuracy of an action or decision.

being on point

Suggests that someone is relevant, accurate, and effective in their actions or statements.

scoring a success

Refers to achieving a successful outcome or result.

getting it spot on

Implies great precision and accuracy in achieving something.

being successful

A general term indicating the achievement of desired outcomes.

succeeding

A shorter and more direct way of saying that someone has achieved their aims.

measuring up

Signifies meeting the required standards or expectations.

FAQs

What does "hitting the mark" mean?

"Hitting the mark" means successfully achieving a goal or standard, implying accuracy and precision. It suggests that something has been done correctly and effectively.

What can I say instead of "hitting the mark"?

You can use alternatives like "achieving the goal", "nailing it", or "reaching the target" depending on the context.

Is "hitting the mark" appropriate for formal writing?

While "hitting the mark" is widely understood, it might be better to use more formal phrases such as "achieving the objective" or "meeting expectations" in academic or professional contexts.

How can "hitting the mark" be used in a sentence?

You can use "hitting the mark" to describe successful outcomes, such as: "The project is "hitting the mark" in terms of budget and timeline."