miss the target

You use this phrase when someone’s work or idea falls short. It is very common in professional and casual settings. You can use it for numbers, like missing a sales goal. You can also use it for feelings, like when a movie doesn't make you cry as intended. It usually follows a subject like 'the marketing plan' or 'his comment.'

Use it when you want to be clear but polite about a failure. In a meeting, you might say a project missed the target to avoid saying it was a 'disaster.' Use it when texting a friend about a bad restaurant recommendation. It works well when discussing expectations versus reality. It is a great way to describe a 'swing and a miss' moment.

Don't use this for very small, physical accidents. If you drop your phone, you didn't miss the target. Don't use it for serious personal tragedies. It sounds a bit too clinical or sporty for deep grief. Also, avoid using it if someone is already very upset about a mistake. It might sound a little cold or dismissive of their hard work.

This phrase comes from ancient sports like archery and shooting. In Western culture, hitting a 'bullseye' is the ultimate sign of success. Therefore, missing the target is the universal symbol for 'try again.' It became very popular in corporate culture in the 1990s. Now, it is a standard way to discuss performance and accuracy in English-speaking countries.

You will often hear people say miss the mark. This is almost exactly the same thing. Some people say off target to describe the current state of a project. If you fail by a lot, you might say you missed the target by a mile. If you were close, you just missed the target. These variations help you show exactly how much you failed!