be wide of the mark —(also: be off the mark) be inaccurate or erroneous in one’s judgment:
- The idea that the Israelis are anxious to dictate a Carthaginian peace is ludicrously wide of the mark.
come short of the mark—(also: fall short of the mark) fail to attain some desired object or end:
- A perfectly good talk can be ruined if your answers to questions come short of the mark.