To lose an opportunity by being too late or failing to act when the chance was available.
This phrase emerged in the early 1900s from the literal experience of missing passenger boats or ferries, which often ran on fixed schedules with no accommodation for latecomers. The metaphor gained popularity during an era when boat travel was still common and missing your departure could mean waiting hours or days for the next opportunity.
The nautical origin perfectly captures the finality and frustration of missed opportunities - unlike missing a bus where another comes in twenty minutes, missing a boat often meant a much longer wait and potentially disrupted plans. The phrase also suggests that the opportunity was visible and available, making the miss even more regrettable.
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