missing the point

USAGE SUMMARY

"missing the point" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used as an emphatic statement to convey that someone does not understand the true intent or essence of something. For example: "John's comments about the new tax law were missing the point—the goal was to create jobs, not increase revenue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

We're missing the point".

The New York Times

They're missing the point.

The New York Times - Sports

He's missing the point.

The Economist

You're missing the point.

University of California, Berkeley

Are they missing the point?

The New Yorker

That is missing the point.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

He missed the point.

The New York Times

They missed the point.

The New York Times

This misses the point.

The New York Times

Boswell misses the point.

The New Yorker

That missed the point.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "missing the point", ensure the context clearly defines what the actual point is, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "missing the point" without clearly establishing what the actual point is. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation, weakening your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "missing the point" functions as an idiomatic expression, used to indicate a failure to understand the central or most important aspect of a discussion, argument, or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "missing the point" is a common idiom used to convey that someone is failing to grasp the central or most important aspect of a situation or argument. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across a range of contexts, from news and media to academic discussions. While grammatically straightforward, it's crucial to use this phrase with sufficient context to ensure clarity. Related phrases include "failing to grasp the central idea" and "not understanding the essence". When writing, avoid using the phrase without clearly defining the point, to prevent ambiguity. Ultimately, "missing the point" serves as a powerful tool for highlighting misunderstandings and redirecting focus to the core issue at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Failing to grasp the central idea

This highlights the inability to comprehend the main concept being discussed.

Misunderstanding the crux

This focuses on misunderstanding the most important part of the matter.

Not understanding the essence

This alternative emphasizes the lack of comprehension of the core meaning.

Not getting the gist

This alternative uses a more informal term to indicate a failure to understand the general idea.

Being off-target

This alternative suggests that the person's understanding is not aligned with the core issue.

Confusing the issue

This highlights that the person is mixing up the understanding of the subject.

Completely misunderstanding

This emphasizes a total lack of understanding.

Misinterpreting the situation

This emphasizes the action of interpreting incorrectly, rather than lacking understanding.

Underestimating the importance

This focuses on an inability to realize the relevance or significance of something

Focusing on the irrelevant details

This points out the act of concentrating on aspects that are not important.

FAQs

How can I use "missing the point" in a sentence?

Use "missing the point" to indicate that someone is failing to understand the most important aspect of a situation or argument. For example: "His criticism of the budget is "missing the point"; the real issue is lack of revenue."

What are some alternatives to saying "missing the point"?

You can use alternatives like "failing to grasp the central idea", "not understanding the essence", or "misunderstanding the crux" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between ""missing the point"" and "losing the point"?

"Missing the point" suggests a fundamental failure to understand the core issue from the start, while "losing the point" implies that the understanding was initially present but then became obscured or forgotten.

Is it always negative to say someone is "missing the point"?

Yes, saying someone is "missing the point" is almost always negative. It implies a criticism that they are not understanding something important or are focusing on the wrong things.