missed the boat

ADJECTIVE

late

Synonyms

STRONGEST

last-minute slow

WEAK

backward behind behind time behindhand belated blown delayed dilatory eleventh hour gone held up hung up in a bind in the lurch jammed lagging out of luck overdue postponed put off remiss stayed strapped tardy too late unpunctual

Antonyms

WEAK

antique early live old old-fashioned on time prompt punctual

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Even those who missed the boat on opening a DAF last year might find it useful for bunching deductions into one tax year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

The opportunities ahead — tokenization, spot ETFs, custody improvements — mean you haven’t missed the boat.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 16, 2025

"I do not really buy into the 'they missed the boat on AI' conversation," she says.

From BBC • Sep. 2, 2023

“We’ve now unfortunately really missed the boat on being able to put a lid on the outbreak earlier,” Dr. Lawler said.

From New York Times • Jul. 23, 2022

If she missed the boat she could live well until another year.

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George

missed the boat

Example Sentences

Related Words