misses the boat
Loses the chance
To miss the boat is to fail to take advantage of an opportunity, usually by acting too late.
The image is of arriving at the dock after the ship has sailed: I meant to apply for that job, but I missed the boat.
Sometimes implies the chance won't come again.
- hindsightRecognition after the fact
- regretSorrow over past actions
- second-guessingReconsidering a decision made
- dropped the ballFailed at crucial moment
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
panic · hurry · opportunity cost · procrastination · timing · oversight · bad timing · misjudgment · misinterpretation · loss · clock · ticket · wake-up call · miscommunication · confusion · ignorance · repercussions · left behind
misses the boatjumps on the bandwagon
Adopts prevailing trend
carpe diem · makes hay while the sun shines · jumps at the chance · takes the plunge · takes advantage of
misses the boatgets it
Grasps the meaning
catches on · gets the picture · understands · sees the light · picks up on
miss, misses, missed, missing, boat, boats, boated, boating, boater