be/fall wide of the mark

be wide of the mark

1. Literally, to be far from hitting a target. Wow, that shot was really wide of the mark. Is the ball even still on the green? Watch out, that arrow is wide of the mark!2. By extension, to be inaccurate or wrong. I never once said that! Your reporter is completely wide of the mark in her accusations. I thought I knew what real estate costs around here, but wow, I was wide of the mark.See also: mark, of, wide

fall wide of the mark

1. Literally, to be far from hitting a target. Wow, that shot really fell wide of the mark. Is the ball even still on the green? Watch out, that arrow is falling wide of the mark!2. By extension, to be inaccurate or wrong. I never once said that! Your reporter's accusations fall completely wide of the mark. I thought I knew what real estate costs around here, but wow, I fell wide of the mark.See also: fall, mark, of, wide

be/fall wide of the ˈmark

(also be (a long) way off the ˈmark) be not at all correct or accurate: No one knew where Bangalore was, and their guesses were all wide of the mark. OPPOSITE: on the noseSee also: fall, mark, of, wide