Here's an idiom for you to try out this week in your daily speaking practice!
We use this phrase a lot to describe missing an opportunity, usually an opportunity we needed to be quick to take because it was a short-term offer / chance.
This phrase you can almost visualise, imagine you are running to get a ferry somewhere maybe you’re going on a cruise and you’ve just missed the boat as it’s pulling away from the harbour and your whole holiday has disappeared in front of your eyes!
It can be used in a number of tenses:
> I've missed the boat... (present perfect)
> You'll miss the boat... (future - will)
> They missed the boat... (past simple)
It's often used like this:
I missed the boat with that job opening and now they've offered it to someone else.
Meaning: I didn't apply for the job quick enough and now they've offered it to someone else.
Let’s have a look at some examples:
We were too late and missed the boat with that opportunity, we'll have to try again next year.
I’ll get my job application in soon so I don’t miss the boat.
They missed the boat with selling their house last year and now they can’t find a buyer.
Not necessarily informal language, could be used in the workplace.
However, if used to give advice; 'Don't miss the boat...' it's more informal and better for friendly conversations etc.
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