# Miss the boat

idiom · CEFR A2

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/miss-the-boat
Updated: 2026-06-06

## Meaning

It's too late

## Examples

- I forgot to buy tickets and now I have missed the boat.
- The sale ended yesterday, so you missed the boat if you wanted to get that cheap laptop.
- Investors who waited too long for the market to drop further eventually missed the boat when prices suddenly began to rise again.

## Origin

Early 20th century; from literally arriving too late to board a departing boat, hence losing the opportunity. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.