off targetadv.adj.
/ˌɒfˈtɑːɡɪt/, U.S. /ˌɔfˈtɑrɡət/, /ˌɑfˈtɑrɡət/ Away from a target; so as to miss or fail to reach a target or goal (literally or figuratively). Also as adj. (attributive): that misses or fails to reach a target or goal; misdirected, erring.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > [adjective] > amiss, out of order
amissc1325
out of harrea1327
wronga1425
wide1545
misplaced1563
awrya1586
ajar1807
off the rails1848
agley1882
blooey1920
off-centre1930
off base1940
snafued1944
off target1954
off beam1958
1954 J. W. Kling & L. A. Riggs Experim. Psychol. (1971) 549 He observed their initial pecks at a small target and at individual kernels of grain. The main finding was that the average peck was about 7' off target.
1962 J. L. Austin's Sense & Sensibilia ix. 89 The second example is ineffective, off-target, in a rather similar way.
1977 R. E. Harrington Quintain vi. 54 Though it was off-target, and glancing, the blow rocked him back.
1981 E. Walsh Under Heaven in L. Evans Overtime (1990) 98 A brigade of American paratroopers, slaughtered by Ack-ack when they were dropped 30 yards off target.
1990 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 20 Jan. 85/5 With the goals receded into the boundary walls, off-target shots rebound to give strikers another attempt.
2000 Ralph 7 July 16/1 His kicking was a bit off target.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.adj.1954