The phrase "are off the mark" is an idiom used in informal contexts to indicate that someone's statement, opinion, or understanding of a situation is incorrect or inaccurate. It suggests that the person's judgment or assessment has missed the intended target, much like an archer missing the bullseye on a target. When someone's opinions or ideas are off the mark, they are essentially wide of the mark, deviating from what is considered accurate or true.
In various scenarios, this expression can be applied to criticise someone's evaluation, estimation, prediction, or interpretation that proves to be incorrect, misguided, or ill-informed. It implies that the individual has failed to apprehend the true nature or essence of a concept, event, action, or circumstance. To use an analogy, if a weather forecaster predicts sunshine but it rains the entire day, their forecast would be regarded as off the mark.
When someone's pronouncements are off the mark, it implies that they have missed the crucial point, misunderstood the facts, or failed to accurately perceive a situation. The phrase can be used in a wide range of contexts, including debates, discussions, arguments, evaluations, assessments, and any situation where someone's conclusions or assertions are proven to be inaccurate or erroneous.
