WordValemiss the boat
to lose an opportunity
In more detail
(idiom) to fail to take advantage of an opportunity; to lose a chance to do something important or beneficial
Examples
- If you don't apply for the job soon, you might miss the boat.
How to use miss the boat
Miss the boat is a figurative idiom meaning to fail to take advantage of a timely opportunity or chance. It typically refers to opportunities that are time-sensitive or will not return easily. The idiom conveys a sense of regret or warning about not acting quickly enough, and is commonly used in both casual and business contexts.
Common phrases
- miss the boat on
- miss the boat by
- miss the boat entirely
- almost miss the boat
- don't miss the boat
Synonyms
miss the point · miss one's chance · let the opportunity slip · pass up an opportunity · blow a chance
Opposites
seize the opportunity · grab the chance · capitalize on
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use this idiom to describe simply being late or absent from something literal (like an actual boat), rather than the figurative sense of losing an opportunity.
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