be off (wide of) the mark
11mark — mark1 [märk] n. [ME < OE mearc, orig., boundary, hence boundary sign, hence sign, akin to Ger mark, boundary, boundary mark, marke, a token, mark < Gmc * marka < IE base * mereĝ , edge, boundary > L margo, MARGIN, OIr mruig,… …
12quick off the mark — an elite force that was more quick off the mark than any fighting element in the sector Syn: alert, quick, quick witted, bright, clever, perceptive, sharp, sharp witted, observant, wide awake, on one s toes; informal on the ball, quick on the… …
13mark — mark1 W2S3 [ma:k US ma:rk] n ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(dirt)¦ 2¦(damaged area)¦ 3¦(coloured area)¦ 4¦(writing)¦ 5¦(level/number)¦ 6¦(student s work)¦ 7 full/top marks for effort/trying/persistence etc 8 high/low mark 9 make/leave your …
14mark — mark1 [ mark ] noun count *** ▸ 1 area of dirt/oil etc. ▸ 2 level/stage/total etc. ▸ 3 something that shows a quality ▸ 4 printed/written symbol ▸ 5 school score ▸ 6 place you try to hit ▸ 7 official sign on something ▸ 8 unit of money in Germany …
15mark — [[t]mɑ͟ː(r)k[/t]] ♦♦ marks, marking, marked 1) N COUNT A mark is a small area of something such as dirt that has accidentally got onto a surface or piece of clothing. The dogs are always rubbing against the wall and making dirty marks... A… …
16mark — {{Roman}}I.{{/Roman}} noun 1 spot/line ADJECTIVE ▪ dirty, grubby ▪ visible ▪ distinguishing, identifying ▪ Does he have any distinguishing marks? …
17mark — 1 verb 1 MAKE A MARK (I, T) to make a mark on something in a way that spoils its appearance, or to become spoiled in this way: We were careful not to mark the paintwork. | The disease had marked her face for life. | It s a beautiful table, but it …
18mark — mark1 /mahrk/, n. 1. a visible impression or trace on something, as a line, cut, dent, stain, or bruise: a small mark on his arm. 2. a badge, brand, or other visible sign assumed or imposed: a mark of his noble rank. 3. a symbol used in writing… …
19mark — I n. sign. symbol 1) to make one s mark ( to make a cross in place of a signature ) 2) an accent, stress; diacritical; exclamation (BE; AE has exclamation point); punctuation; question; quotation mark 3) (mil.) a hash mark 4) a laundry mark… …
20wide — 1 /waId/ adjective 1 DISTANCE a) measuring a large distance from one side to the other: a hat with a wide brim opposite narrow 1 (1) b) five metres/two miles etc wide measuring five metres etc from one side to the other: The door s three feet… …
