English Explanatory Dictionary

miss the boat

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To fail to take advantage of an opportunity; to overlook or be too late to pursue an option or course of action.

Word forms

miss the boat misses the boat missing the boat missed the boat

Etymology

Allusion to failing to catch a boat in time, effectively “missing” the boat. Popular since the 1920s.

Synonyms

that ship has sailed miss out
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