on target
on target — idiom
1. to be making the kind of progress that was planned toward a goal, so that you ar
to be making the kind of progress that was planned toward a goal, so that you are likely to finish or succeed on schedule
The construction team is on target to finish the new library by June.
be on target + to-infinitive for planned completion
If our sales stay on target this quarter, we will beat last year's total.
stay on target for sustained progress
Despite the supply delays, the project remains on target for a December launch.
The research team is right on target with their trials and expects results by March.
- on schedule
more neutral; emphasises timing rather than progress quality
- on track
nearly interchangeable; slightly more informal
- behind schedule
opposite in the timing sense
- off course
implies not just late but heading in the wrong direction
文法句型
be + on target
stay + on target
keep + on target
用法筆記
Commonly follows the verb 'be', 'stay', or 'remain'. Frequently followed by a 'to'-infinitive clause or a 'for' + noun phrase indicating the deadline or achievement.
常見錯誤
2. used to describe an observation, analysis, or comment that hits exactly the righ
used to describe an observation, analysis, or comment that hits exactly the right point and correctly identifies the core of a problem or situation
The therapist's assessment of our communication issues was right on target.
right on target for emphasis
Omar's question about the budget was on target — it exposed the flaw everyone had missed.
Hana's diagnosis was right on target, and we fixed the network in minutes.
The critic's review was on target: she identified exactly why the film's ending felt hollow.
- on the mark
slightly less formal, same meaning
- spot on
informal British English, same core idea
- off target
direct opposite; missing the point
- wide of the mark
idiomatic opposite emphasising a large gap
文法句型
be + on target
hit + on target
用法筆記
Often intensified with 'right' (right on target) to emphasise precision. Describes the remark or analysis itself, not the person who made it (compare with the adjective sense).
常見錯誤
❌ 'Her criticism was on target.' (correct but a different sense — if you mean the criticism itself was accurate, this is the phrase sense) — Distinguish from: 'Her description was on target.' (adjective sense, meaning the description was accurate/appropriate).
on target — adjective
1. exactly right for a particular purpose or situation; perfectly matching what is
exactly right for a particular purpose or situation; perfectly matching what is needed in terms of accuracy, appropriateness, or relevance
Her description of the candidate's strengths was completely on target.
completely on target for emphasis
The chef's choice of spices was on target — the dish tasted balanced and authentic.
Kwame's estimate of the repair costs proved on target when the final bill arrived.
The teacher's feedback on Diego's essay was on target and helped him improve his arguments.
- inaccurate
neutral opposite for correctness
- off
informal opposite; 'His pitch was off.'
文法句型
be + on target
seem + on target
prove + on target
用法筆記
Unlike the idiom sense (which focuses on schedule/progress), the adjective sense evaluates correctness, accuracy, or appropriateness against a standard or expectation. Can be used with intensifiers such as 'completely', 'exactly', or 'right'.
常見錯誤
❌ 'The weather forecast was on target for the weekend.' — ambiguous. If you mean the forecast was accurate, use the adjective sense. If you mean the timing of the forecast delivery is on schedule, use the idiom sense.