wrong target

[rɔŋ ˈtɑːrɡɪt]
nounpl: wrong targets
alvo errado
1. An incorrect or mistaken objective, person, or thing that is aimed at or focused on instead of the intended one
The missile hit a wrong target, causing unintended casualties.
O míssil atingiu um alvo errado, causando vítimas não intencionais.
2. A misguided direction of effort, blame, or attention toward someone or something that is not responsible or appropriate
Blaming the employee for the company's failure was a wrong target; the real issue was poor management.
Culpar o funcionário pelo fracasso da empresa foi um alvo errado; o verdadeiro problema era a má gestão.
In both American and Brazilian contexts, 'wrong target' is commonly used in military, law enforcement, and business discussions. In Brazil, it often appears in political discourse when discussing misdirected blame or criticism. The phrase carries moral implications in discussions of justice and accountability.
NYC Slang
barking up the wrong tree, wrong guy
Synonyms / Sinônimos
incorrect objectivemistaken aimmisguided targetwrong focusmisdirected effort
Antonyms / Antônimos
correct targetright targetaccurate objectiveintended aim

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
alvo errado
Standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
alvo errado / pessoa errada
May colloquially use 'pessoa errada' (wrong person) in casual speech
São Paulo
alvo errado
Standard formal usage, commonly used in business contexts
Portugal
alvo errado / objectivo errado
Portuguese variant uses 'objectivo' instead of 'alvo' in some contexts

Related Words

targetmistakemisaimmisdirectioncollateral damagemisidentification

Related Idioms & Phrases

barking up the wrong tree
shooting at the wrong target
you've got the wrong guy
off the mark
wide of the mark
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →