OFF TARGET Meaning and
Definition
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Off target is an idiomatic expression used to describe a situation where something is not accurately aimed, measured, or directed towards a specific goal, objective, or desired outcome. This term is predominantly used in contexts related to sports, military operations, and general decision-making processes.
In a sports context, if a shot, kick, or throw is off target, it means that it did not reach its intended destination, such as missing the net in soccer, the hoop in basketball, or the goal in hockey. Similarly, in warfare or military operations, if a missile, bomb, or projectile is off target, it indicates that it failed to hit the intended objective or achieved an imprecise result.
Beyond physical acts, off target can also be used metaphorically to denote when someone's actions, plans, or strategies do not lead to the desired or expected outcome. In these cases, it refers to deviations from the intended path, plan, or objective. This term can be applied to various domains, such as business, politics, education, or personal endeavors.
Overall, off target essentially implies a lack of accuracy, precision, or alignment with the intended goal, whether it pertains to physical actions or abstract concepts. It denotes a situation where something veers away from the desired path, direction, or objective, failing to meet the expected or intended outcome.
Common Misspellings for OFF TARGET
- of-target
- oft target
- off-tarvet
- oftf-target
- of-ftarget
- off-targat
- off-targed
- iff target
- kff target
- lff target
- pff target
- 0ff target
- 9ff target
- odf target
- ocf target
- ovf target
- ogf target
- otf target
- orf target
- ofd target
Etymology of OFF TARGET
The term "off target" is a compound adjective consisting of the word "off" and the noun "target".
- "Off" derived from the Old English word "of" meaning "away, off, from" and can refer to a sense of deviation, distance, or separation from an intended or expected position.
- "Target" originated from the Middle English word "targette" meaning "a small shield" or "a diminutive of targe", which referred to a shield used in medieval times. The word was borrowed from Old French "targe" and further traced back to Old English "targe" and Old Norse "targa", all indicating a protective object.
Thus, the term "off target" implies that something or someone has missed or deviated from the intended or desired objective, similar to how an archer might fail to hit the center of a target.
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