miss the mark
Fail to connect
To miss the mark is to fall short of a goal or fail to achieve the intended effect.
The phrase comes from archery or shooting—literally failing to hit the target.
It usually implies coming close but not quite succeeding: The film had potential but ultimately missed the mark.
Someone's aim, effort, or understanding can miss the mark.
Foolish, costly mistake
- botchSpoil through incompetence
- flopComplete commercial failure
- fumbleHandle with clumsy fingers
- misfireFailure to discharge
flub · goof · bungle · stumble · falter · miscalculate · misjudge · err
Containing factual mistakes
- incorrectNot accurate or true
- impreciseLacking exactness or accuracy
- inexactLacking full accuracy
- wrongContrary to fact
off · awry · askew · astray · amiss · faulty · flawed · mistaken
Failure to provide care
- omissionFailure to include
- overlookMiss or commanding view
- disregardWillful lack of attention
- slipMinor error or misstep
carelessness · inattention · inadvertence · lapse · heedlessness · blind spot · pass over · gloss over
Amount still owed
- gapUnfilled space between
- underperformFail to meet standards
- deficiencyLack of something needed
- insufficiencyShortfall in amount needed
blunder
Foolish, costly mistake
misfire · flub · goof · bungle · stumble · falter · miscalculate · misjudge · err · miscarry
erroneous
Containing factual mistakes
wrong · off · awry · askew · astray · amiss · faulty · flawed · mistaken · off-base
neglect
Failure to provide care
slip · carelessness · inattention · inadvertence · lapse · heedlessness · blind spot · pass over · gloss over · lose sight of
deficit
Amount still owed
- gapUnfilled space between
- underperformFail to meet standards
- deficiencyLack of something needed
insufficiency · lack · inadequacy · fall behind · come up empty
miss the markhit the mark
Achieve intended result
bullseye · on target · dead on · spot on · right on the money
miss the marksucceed
Achieve a desired aim
nail it · ace it · hit a home run · knock it out of the park · make the grade
mark, miss, marker, remark, remarkable, benchmark, markedly, unremarkable, unmarked