off-beam

English

Etymology

From navigation, such as an aeroplane following a radio beam.

Adjective

off-beam (comparative more off-beam, superlative most off-beam)

1. Off course; by extension, mistaken or irrelevant.

   From their quizzical looks she surmised she was way off-beam.

   • 1972, “Thick As A Brick”, Ian Anderson (lyrics), performed by Jethro Tull:

     No one to help you get up steam
     And the whirlpool turns you way off-beam.

2. Alternative form of offbeam