wide of the mark

USAGE SUMMARY

'wide of the mark' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiom used to describe an opinion or guess that is wrong or inaccurate. For example, "His guess was way off the mark, the answer was actually three."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But some are wide of the mark.

The Economist

But that's wide of the mark.

The Guardian - Books

Such attacks are wide of the mark.

The Guardian - Business

Am I wide of the mark?

The Guardian

Such unease is wide of the mark.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the comparisons are hopelessly wide of the mark.

The Guardian

Both claims are far wide of the mark.

The Guardian

But his ideas were a little wide of the mark.

The Guardian - Arts

Accusations of Welsh bias are wide of the mark.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

He's also almost imperviously good-natured, and reportedly enjoyed the Onion's wide-of-the-mark depiction.

The Guardian

Some of these ideas may look wide-of-the-mark in a decade's time.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wide of the mark" to soften criticism. It's a less harsh way of saying someone is wrong, which can be useful in professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "wide of the mark" in highly technical or scientific contexts where precise language is necessary. Opt for more specific terms like "statistically insignificant" or "experimentally invalid" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wide of the mark" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a predicate adjective. It describes a statement, guess, or assessment as being inaccurate or incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wide of the mark" is a frequently used idiomatic phrase that indicates something is inaccurate or incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms it's suitable for general use, primarily in journalistic and conversational settings. Its grammatical function is typically as a predicate adjective, and its communicative purpose is to correct or dispute statements tactfully. While versatile, it’s best to avoid using it in overly technical or scientific contexts. Ludwig's analysis shows the phrase is commonly found in news sources such as The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Economist. Alternatives include "far from the truth" or "completely wrong", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

way off

Indicates a simple, direct statement that something is inaccurate or incorrect by a large margin.

completely wrong

Indicates an absolute lack of correctness, suggesting no part of the statement is accurate.

entirely inaccurate

Stresses the lack of precision or correctness in the information or statement.

far from the truth

Emphasizes the distance from accuracy, focusing on the deviation from reality.

nowhere near the truth

Highlights that the statement or belief is significantly distant from factual accuracy.

utterly mistaken

Highlights the error in judgment or understanding, focusing on the person's incorrect belief.

not even close

Emphasizes the significant difference between the actual value or situation and the stated one.

off base

Suggests a misjudgment or misunderstanding, indicating a deviation from the correct path or understanding.

a gross miscalculation

Focuses on the magnitude of the error, especially in a numerical or quantitative context.

in the wrong ballpark

Illustrates that the guess or idea is far from being correct, implying a large margin of error.

FAQs

How can I use "wide of the mark" in a sentence?

You can use "wide of the mark" to indicate that a statement or guess is inaccurate. For example, "His prediction about the company's profits was "wide of the mark", as they actually incurred a loss."

What are some alternatives to saying "wide of the mark"?

Alternatives include phrases like "far from the truth", "completely wrong", or "utterly mistaken", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "wide of the mark" a formal or informal expression?

"Wide of the mark" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in journalistic or conversational settings than in highly technical writing.

What does it mean for something to be "wide of the mark"?

When something is described as ""wide of the mark"", it means that it is inaccurate, incorrect, or far from the truth. It suggests a significant deviation from what is accurate or expected.