miss its/the mark
idiom
: to fail or be wrong
Their estimates completely missed the mark.
The ad campaign was supposed to appeal to young people but it missed the mark.
Examples of miss its/the mark in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Obama blasts progressives for abandoning men, explains demo swing to Trump | RISING
Robby Soave and Lindsey Granger react to former President Obama’s recent comments on how Democrats and progressives miss the mark when talking about young men.
—
The Hill, 22 July 2025
The major driver, though, was the first year the MIAA’s power rankings system seemed to miss the mark – which had been spot on in the other three tournaments.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 21 June 2025
BetVictor Canada predicts the Lions winning the Super Bowl More Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
More NFL: Ex-Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce Resurfaces With Surprising New Job
Gruden's remarks may miss the mark for some.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
The Dodd-Frank Act stands not as a triumph of reform but as a case study in how sweeping legislation and regulation can miss the mark.
—Norbert Michel, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for miss its/the mark
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
The Hill, 22 July 2025
The major driver, though, was the first year the MIAA’s power rankings system seemed to miss the mark – which had been spot on in the other three tournaments.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 21 June 2025
BetVictor Canada predicts the Lions winning the Super Bowl More Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
More NFL: Ex-Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce Resurfaces With Surprising New Job
Gruden's remarks may miss the mark for some.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
The Dodd-Frank Act stands not as a triumph of reform but as a case study in how sweeping legislation and regulation can miss the mark.
—Norbert Michel, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for miss its/the mark
Cite this Entry
“Miss its/the mark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/miss%20its%2Fthe%20mark. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share