miss a chance
يفوت فرصة
Use this to describe a lost opportunity that you or someone else should have taken.
En 15 secondes
- Failing to take an opportunity when it is available.
- Used for both small daily tasks and big life decisions.
- Often carries a light feeling of regret or missed potential.
Signification
This phrase means you didn't take an opportunity that was available to you. It's like a train arriving at the station, but you weren't there to get on it.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Talking about a concert
I missed a chance to see Queen live, and I'll always regret it.
I missed a chance to see Queen live, and I'll always regret it.
Encouraging a friend
Don't miss a chance to study abroad while you're young!
Don't miss a chance to study abroad while you're young!
Professional feedback
The company missed a chance to expand into the European market last year.
The company missed a chance to expand into the European market last year.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is deeply tied to the Western ideal of 'The Land of Opportunity.' It reflects a cultural mindset where success is built on recognizing and grabbing moments before they disappear. It became a staple of self-help and motivational English in the late 20th century.
The 'Never Miss' Trick
Use 'never miss a chance to...' to describe someone's personality. For example: 'He never misses a chance to complain!'
Don't say 'Lose'
Avoid saying 'lose a chance' if the opportunity just passed by. Use 'miss' for timing and 'lose' if you had it and then it was taken away.
En 15 secondes
- Failing to take an opportunity when it is available.
- Used for both small daily tasks and big life decisions.
- Often carries a light feeling of regret or missed potential.
What It Means
Miss a chance is all about timing and regret. It happens when an opportunity appears, but you don't act. Maybe you were too slow. Maybe you were too nervous. Either way, the door closed before you walked through. It is a very common way to describe life's 'what if' moments.
How To Use It
You can use it for big things or small things. You can miss a chance to buy cheap tickets. You can also miss a chance to tell someone you like them. It usually follows a person: 'I missed a chance' or 'Don't miss your chance.' It sounds natural in almost any sentence structure.
When To Use It
Use this when you feel a little bit of regret. It works perfectly when talking about careers or travel. If your friend didn't apply for a cool job, tell them they missed a chance. If you see a 50% discount at your favorite store, don't miss the chance to shop! It’s great for giving advice or sharing a sad story over coffee.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for things that are mandatory. You don't miss a chance to pay your taxes. That is just a deadline! Also, avoid using it for things you actually hated. If you didn't go to a boring party, you didn't miss a chance. You just stayed home. It implies the opportunity was actually good or valuable.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, there is a big focus on 'seizing the day'. People often feel pressure to take every opportunity. Because of this, missing a chance is often seen as a life lesson. There is a famous saying: 'Opportunity only knocks once.' This phrase reflects that fear of losing out on something great.
Common Variations
You will often hear miss an opportunity. This is slightly more formal. You might also hear miss the boat. That is a funny idiom that means the exact same thing. If you want to be more dramatic, you can say you blew your chance. That means you had the chance but you messed it up yourself!
Notes d'usage
This phrase is perfectly safe for all levels of formality. In very formal writing, 'opportunity' is often preferred over 'chance', but 'miss a chance' will never sound 'wrong' or 'unprofessional'.
The 'Never Miss' Trick
Use 'never miss a chance to...' to describe someone's personality. For example: 'He never misses a chance to complain!'
Don't say 'Lose'
Avoid saying 'lose a chance' if the opportunity just passed by. Use 'miss' for timing and 'lose' if you had it and then it was taken away.
The FOMO Connection
This phrase is the root of 'FOMO' (Fear Of Missing Out). English speakers are culturally obsessed with not missing chances!
Exemples
6I missed a chance to see Queen live, and I'll always regret it.
I missed a chance to see Queen live, and I'll always regret it.
Expresses long-term regret about a past event.
Don't miss a chance to study abroad while you're young!
Don't miss a chance to study abroad while you're young!
Used here as friendly advice.
The company missed a chance to expand into the European market last year.
The company missed a chance to expand into the European market last year.
Used in a business context to analyze a mistake.
Ugh, I missed my chance to get those sneakers on sale.
Ugh, I missed my chance to get those sneakers on sale.
Casual use for everyday shopping frustrations.
He never misses a chance to tell everyone he runs marathons.
He never misses a chance to tell everyone he runs marathons.
Used sarcastically to describe someone's habit.
I apologize for missing the chance to meet with the director.
I apologize for missing the chance to meet with the director.
Polite way to acknowledge a missed meeting.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
If you don't call her now, you might ___ your chance.
While 'lose' is okay, 'miss' is the standard collocation for an opportunity that passes by.
Complete the phrase used in a professional setting.
We shouldn't ___ the chance to partner with such a big brand.
In business, 'miss the chance' is the most common way to describe not taking a deal.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Miss a Chance'
Used with friends about daily life.
I missed the chance to grab coffee.
Standard use in most conversations.
She missed a chance to ask a question.
Professional or written reports.
The firm missed a chance for investment.
Where to use 'Miss a Chance'
Education
Missing a scholarship deadline.
Romance
Not asking someone on a date.
Shopping
A limited-time discount ends.
Career
Not applying for a promotion.
Questions fréquentes
11 questionsIt means you didn't take an opportunity that was available to you. For example, if you didn't buy a ticket before they sold out, you missed a chance to see the show.
Yes, they are almost identical. Miss an opportunity is just a bit more formal and used more in business writing.
Usually, no. You miss a chance for something positive. You wouldn't say you 'missed a chance' to get a cold.
Not at all. It's a very neutral and common phrase used in polite conversation.
Just change 'miss' to 'missed'. For example: 'I missed my chance to say goodbye.'
The opposite is to take a chance or seize an opportunity.
Yes! Using 'my', 'your', or 'his' makes it more personal. 'I missed my chance' sounds very natural.
It can, but it depends on your tone. It can also sound like you are giving wise advice to a friend.
Yes, miss the boat is an idiom that means you missed a chance because you acted too slowly.
Yes. You might say, 'I didn't want to miss the chance to work for such a respected company.'
Usually, we say 'miss a chance to [verb]' or 'miss a chance for [noun]'. For example: 'miss a chance to win'.
Expressions liées
Miss the boat
To be too late to take advantage of an opportunity.
Pass up an opportunity
To decide not to take a chance that is offered.
Seize the day
To take every chance you have right now.
Let it slip through your fingers
To lose a chance because you weren't careful or quick enough.
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