not be able to hit the broad side of a barn

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

not be able to hit the broad side of a barn (third-person singular simple present cannot hit the broad side of a barn, no present participle, simple past could not hit the broad side of a barn, no past participle)

1. (informal, idiomatic) To have very poor aim, such as while using firearms or in sports.

   No, I am really not good at batting in baseball. I cannot hit the broad side of a barn, really.

   The new recruit is absolutely worthless with a rifle. Blimey, she wouldn't be able to hit the broad side of a barn if I asked her to.

Synonyms

• not hit a cow's arse with a banjo

Translations

have very poor aim

• Hebrew: לא להיות מסוגל לפגוע בקיר של אסם, לא להצליח לקלוע אפילו לקיר של אסם

See also

• barn door