1.Lit. far from the target. (*Typically: be ~; fall ~.) Tom's shot was wide of the mark. The pitch was quite fast but wide of the mark. The arrow fell wide of the mark.
2.Fig. inadequate; far from what is required or expected. (*Typically: be ~; fall ~.) Jane's efforts were sincere but wide of the mark. He failed the course because everything he did was wide of the mark.