WIDE OF THE MARK

{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. Far from the target or the thing aimed at. * /James threw a stone at the cat but it went wide of the mark./ 2. Far from the truth; incorrect. * /You were wide of the mark when you said I did it, because Bill did it./ Contrast: HIT THE BULL'S-EYE, HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.