[miss] the (boat|bus)
1
to lose the chance to take advantage of something, particularly a good opportunity
The idiom "miss the boat" comes from the idea of a boat or ship leaving a dock or port, and someone arriving too late to board it. The idiom can be used in a wide range of situations, from missing a job opportunity to failing to invest in a profitable venture. It is often used to express regret or disappointment at having missed out on something that was potentially valuable or rewarding.
- He has missed the boat for the job offer, as he didn't respond to the email in time.
- If you don't submit your application soon, you'll miss the boat for the scholarship.
- She missed the bus for the concert tickets, as they sold out within minutes.
- They're working hard to meet the deadline, as they don't want to miss the bus for the new project.