“OF” AND “OFF” IN IDIOMS

English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)

“OF” AND “OFF” IN IDIOMS

We didn’t get to the next round; our scores were ~wide off~ the mark (nonstandard).
We didn’t get to the next round; our scores were wide of the mark (standard). If something such as a claim or estimate is wide of the mark, it is incorrect or inaccurate.

His behaviour isn’t surprising; he is ~a chip of the old block~ (nonstandard).
His behaviour isn’t surprising; he is a chip off the old block (standard). If you describe someone as a chip off the old block, you mean that they are just like one of their parents in character or behaviour.

~Wash your hands off~ the matter (nonstandard).
Wash your hands of the matter (nonstandard). If you wash your hands of someone or something, you refuse to be involved with them any more or to take responsibility for them.
GAB