miss the mark
يخيب
직역: to fail to hit the target
Use it when an effort or idea fails to reach its intended goal or quality level.
15초 만에
- To fail to achieve a desired result or standard.
- Used when an attempt is inaccurate or misses the point.
- Common in business, art reviews, and social feedback.
뜻
It means you tried to achieve a specific goal or result, but you failed to reach it. It is like aiming for a target and your arrow landing in the dirt instead.
주요 예문
3 / 6Reviewing a new restaurant
The decor was lovely, but the food really missed the mark.
The food failed to meet expectations.
Giving feedback on a presentation
I think your analysis slightly missed the mark on customer trends.
The analysis wasn't quite accurate regarding trends.
Texting about a bad movie
That new horror flick totally missed the mark; it wasn't scary at all.
The movie failed its purpose of being scary.
문화적 배경
The phrase originates from competitive archery and target practice, which were essential skills in medieval England. It became a popular metaphor in the 17th century to describe intellectual or social failures. Today, it is a staple of 'corporate speak' in the US and UK for discussing failed strategies.
Softening Criticism
Use 'slightly missed the mark' to give negative feedback to a colleague without sounding like you are attacking them.
Don't use for 'Missing' people
You can't use this if you miss your mom or a friend. Use 'I miss you' for feelings, and 'miss the mark' for goals.
15초 만에
- To fail to achieve a desired result or standard.
- Used when an attempt is inaccurate or misses the point.
- Common in business, art reviews, and social feedback.
What It Means
Imagine you are playing darts. You throw the dart, but it hits the wall instead of the board. That is the core of miss the mark. It describes any situation where your effort does not meet the expected standard. It is not just about failing. it is about failing to be accurate or relevant. You had a goal, you tried, but you were off-target.
How To Use It
You can use this for ideas, jokes, or even products. It usually follows a subject like 'the movie' or 'his speech.' You say something missed the mark to show it wasn't quite right. You can add words like completely or slightly to show how far off it was. It is a very flexible phrase for giving feedback without being too mean.
When To Use It
Use it when a company releases a product nobody wants. Use it when a friend tells a joke that makes everyone feel awkward. It is perfect for professional settings too. If a marketing campaign doesn't connect with customers, it missed the mark. It sounds smarter than just saying 'it was bad.' It implies there was an intention that just wasn't met.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for physical accidents. If you drop your phone, you didn't miss the mark. You just dropped your phone. Also, avoid it for very tragic or serious life failures. If someone loses their job, saying they missed the mark sounds a bit cold. It is best for creative, social, or strategic efforts. Don't use it if there was no goal to begin with.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from archery and shooting. In ancient times, hitting the 'mark' (the center of the target) was a sign of skill. If you missed, you were unsuccessful. Over hundreds of years, it moved from the battlefield to the office. It reflects the Western cultural focus on precision and hitting specific goals. It is a classic 'sports metaphor' that everyone understands.
Common Variations
You might hear people say someone overshot the mark. This means they tried too hard and went too far. Another one is wide of the mark. This means an idea is completely wrong or inaccurate. If you are close but not quite there, you might say you just missed the mark. They all use the same 'target' imagery to describe success and failure.
사용 참고사항
The phrase is very safe to use in almost any setting. It is considered 'neutral'—neither too slangy nor too stiff. Just remember it focuses on the *result* of an action.
Softening Criticism
Use 'slightly missed the mark' to give negative feedback to a colleague without sounding like you are attacking them.
Don't use for 'Missing' people
You can't use this if you miss your mom or a friend. Use 'I miss you' for feelings, and 'miss the mark' for goals.
The Archery Connection
In the UK, this phrase is often linked to Robin Hood stories. It sounds very classic and slightly sophisticated.
예시
6The decor was lovely, but the food really missed the mark.
The food failed to meet expectations.
Used here to describe a disappointment in quality.
I think your analysis slightly missed the mark on customer trends.
The analysis wasn't quite accurate regarding trends.
A polite way to say someone is wrong in a meeting.
That new horror flick totally missed the mark; it wasn't scary at all.
The movie failed its purpose of being scary.
Uses 'totally' for emphasis in a casual chat.
He tried to be edgy, but the joke missed the mark and offended people.
The joke failed to be funny and caused problems instead.
Describes a social failure or misunderstanding.
I tried to say sorry, but my words missed the mark and she's still upset.
My apology didn't have the intended effect.
Used for emotional communication that didn't work.
Her outfit was bold, but for a funeral, it definitely missed the mark.
The outfit was inappropriate for the occasion.
Refers to failing to meet social expectations or etiquette.
셀프 테스트
Choose the best word to complete the sentence about a failed marketing plan.
The advertisement was colorful, but it ___ the mark because it didn't explain the product.
The standard collocation is 'missed the mark' to describe failing an objective.
Which adverb makes the failure sound the most significant?
The director's attempt at a sequel ___ missed the mark.
'Completely' emphasizes a total failure to reach the goal.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality of 'Miss the Mark'
Talking to friends about a bad pizza.
That crust missed the mark.
Reviewing a book or movie online.
The ending missed the mark for me.
Business performance reviews.
The quarterly strategy missed the mark.
When to say 'Miss the Mark'
Bad Jokes
Nobody laughed at the pun.
Wrong Predictions
The weather forecast said sun, but it rained.
Failed Products
A phone that runs out of battery in an hour.
Tone Deaf Comments
Saying the wrong thing at a party.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Not exactly. 'Failing' is general, but miss the mark implies you had a specific target or intention that you didn't reach.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in academic or professional writing to describe an argument or a policy that wasn't effective.
The opposite is hit the mark or hit the bullseye, meaning you were perfectly successful.
It depends on the tense! You can say 'I often miss the mark' (present) or 'The movie missed the mark' (past).
Ironically, we rarely use it for actual sports now. We use it more for metaphors like ideas, art, and business.
It can be. It is better to say 'it missed the mark' (the thing) rather than 'you missed the mark' (the person).
This is a variation that means someone is completely wrong or their guess is nowhere near the truth.
No. For a bus, you just 'missed the bus.' Miss the mark is for quality and goals, not transportation.
It is used equally in both! It is a universal English idiom.
You could say: 'His joke about the boss really missed the mark and made everyone uncomfortable.'
관련 표현
Fall short
To fail to reach a required standard or amount.
Off the wall
Something that is very strange or unexpected (sometimes in a bad way).
Barking up the wrong tree
Looking in the wrong place or accusing the wrong person.
Not up to par
Not meeting the expected or average standard.
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