miss the bus
Lose your ride
To miss the bus is to arrive too late to board, and by extension, to fail to take advantage of an opportunity: If we don't act now, we'll miss the bus on this deal.
The phrase emphasizes timing—the chance was there but has now departed.
- lateNot on time
- drop the ballFail at a critical moment
- blow itFail at crucial moment
- ship has sailedMoment for action gone
- pass upDecline an opportunity
bad timing · departure · regret · squander · window of opportunity · alternative · let slip · lose out · come up short · fall short · too little too late · second chance · oversight · left behind · failure · loss · leap at · remorse
SEIZING OPPORTUNITY (figurative)
miss the busseize the moment
Act on present opportunity
strike while the iron is hot · jump on the bandwagon · take advantage · carpe diem · make hay while the sun shines
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