What does miss the boat mean?
Idiom Meaning:
too slow to take advantage of an opportunity
Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows:
Sabrina (1954)
Time of Scene:
David Larrabee: What makes you so sure Sabrina still wants me?
Linus Larrabee: Of course she wants you. She’s wanted you all her life.
David Larrabee: Until you came along in that silly homburg.
Linus Larrabee: Well, suppose you straighten that silly straw hat and on your way. You’ll miss the boat.
David Larrabee: Don’t worry. I won’t miss the boat. I’m going. Funniest thing. Linus Larrabee, the man who doesn’t burn, doesn’t scorch, doesn’t melt suddenly throws a twenty million dollar deal out the window. Are you sure you don’t want to go with her?
Linus Larrabee: Why should I want to go with her?
David Larrabee: Because you’re in love with her.
Dodsworth (1936)
Time of Scene:
Fran Dodsworth: Are you going back to that washed-out expatriate in Naples?
Sam Dodsworth: Yes, and when I marry her, I’m going back to doing things.
Fran Dodsworth: Do you think you’ll ever get me out of your blood?
Sam Dodsworth: Maybe not, but love has got to stop someplace short of suicide.
Steward: But the gentleman will miss the boat!
Fran Dodsworth: He’s gone ashore! He’s gone ashore!
The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1952)
Time of Scene:
Harry Street: It’s not dying, not in itself, that matters! It’s dying of failure. Leaves a bad taste in your mouth. How does a man miss the boat?
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