not too far off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not too far off" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiom that is used to describe something that is almost but not quite true or accurate; something that is close but not exact. For example, you could say, "Their estimates of the cost were not too far off from the actual amount."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

It feels not too far off from the slave trade".

The New York Times - Magazine

Just worshipping him from not too far off was enough.

The New Yorker

Slutzky adds, "If this is a strange formulation, it is still not too far off".

The New York Times - Books

I was not too far off, but he's a better player than me at this stage".

The New York Times - Sports

"May we one day, not too far off, have an Indigenous prime minister," Abbott said.

The Guardian

We're not too far off and if we can achieve it, I'll be a happy man".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"I think lazy isn't too far off," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

The look isn't too far off, just a little dryer to suit the desert location.

The Guardian

Nancy Brenner's life isn't too far off from the TV show Mad Men.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The temperature and atmospheric pressure aren't too far off from Mars," said Mr. Warnock, the project's chief executive.

The New York Times - Science

And he's confident that that day isn't too far off, possibly within the next couple of years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not too far off" when you want to express that an estimate, prediction, or approximation is reasonably accurate or close to the actual value or outcome. It softens the statement, indicating it's not exact but still valid.

Common error

While versatile, "not too far off" is generally informal. In formal or academic writing, consider more precise alternatives like "nearly accurate" or "approximates" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not too far off" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to express a degree of approximation or closeness. It is often used to qualify statements about accuracy, distance, or time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not too far off" is a common and generally acceptable way to express that something is close to being accurate or true, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adverbial phrase used to modify statements across various contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the level of formality required; in formal settings, more precise alternatives might be preferable. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's prevalence in News & Media, suggesting it is suitable for general use but should be used judiciously in more formal or academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within reach

Emphasizes attainability or closeness to a goal or state.

close at hand

Highlights nearness in terms of location or time, suggesting something is readily available.

just around the corner

Indicates something is imminent or very near in the future.

nearly accurate

Focuses on the closeness of a statement or figure to being completely correct.

almost exact

Similar to "nearly accurate", but stresses the precision of the approximation.

in the ballpark

Suggests an estimate is generally correct, even if not precise.

approaching

Highlights the act of drawing nearer to a certain point, but it does not mention how close something is.

coming soon

Focuses specifically on the temporal aspect of something being close to happening or arriving.

not a million miles away

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is relatively close or accurate.

getting close

Emphasizes the process of nearing a goal, location, or state.

FAQs

How can I use "not too far off" in a sentence?

You can use "not too far off" to indicate that something is close to being accurate or true. For example, "Their estimate of the project's cost was "not too far off" from the actual expenses."

What does "not too far off" mean?

The phrase "not too far off" means that something is nearly correct or close to a particular state or goal. It suggests a good approximation rather than an exact match.

What are some alternatives to "not too far off"?

Some alternatives to "not too far off" include "close at hand", "nearly accurate", or "in the ballpark". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "not too far off" appropriate for formal writing?

While "not too far off" is widely understood, it's generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider more precise alternatives such as "nearly accurate" or "approximates".