missing the mark
Not quite right
Missing the mark means failing to achieve what was intended or falling short of a goal.
The phrase comes from archery and target shooting—an arrow or bullet that misses the mark lands somewhere other than where it was aimed.
The expression applies broadly to efforts that don't quite succeed: His analysis was thoughtful but missed the mark.
A joke that doesn't land, a product that doesn't meet customer needs, or an argument that fails to persuade all miss the mark.
- imperfectionFault or shortcoming
- sinViolation of divine law
- transgressionViolation of law or code
- errorFault in communication
- misjudgmentFaulty evaluation of something
misunderstanding · missing the point · miscalculation · mistake · inadequacy · not quite right · wrongdoing · off-target · fallacy · hamartia · off base · falling short · blunder · dropped the ball · incompleteness · misinterpretation · lost in translation · barking up the wrong tree
missing the markhitting the mark
Achieving intended result
bullseye · on target · spot on · dead on · on the money
missing the marksucceeding
Attaining aims or following
delivering · coming through · making it · living up to · nailing it
missing the markgetting it right
apt · fitting · appropriate · pertinent · relevant
miss, missed, misses, mark, marks, marked, marking, marker, markers