verb phrase🎓 English idiom

miss the boat

to miss an opportunity

What it means

To miss an opportunity by being too slow or waiting too long to act. It's used when a good chance has passed and can no longer be taken.

Examples

  • If you don't apply soon, you'll miss the boat on this job.
  • We missed the boat by not buying the house when prices were low.
  • He missed the boat on cryptocurrency and regrets it now.
  • Book early so you don't miss the boat on the cheap tickets.

Where it comes from

A literal image from travel by sea, arriving too late and watching your boat leave without you. The figurative meaning of a lost chance became common in the early 20th century.

Related idioms

#jump the gun#the early bird catches the worm#a long shot#the ball is in your court

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