English · Work & Business
miss the boat
/mɪs ðə bəʊt/
[/mɪs ðə bəʊt/]
miss an opportunity
Intermediatephrase
Definition
To miss an opportunity by being too slow to act.
Example
If you don't apply soon, you'll miss the boat; the scholarship deadline is this Friday.
If you don't apply soon, you'll miss the boat; the scholarship deadline is this Friday.
Etymology
An early 20th-century phrase from literally arriving too late to board a departing boat.
How & Where It’s Used
Common for losing a chance through delay.