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Exercise

1. To miss the boat means:

a) to travel to the wrong place by mistake

b) to be too late to take an opportunity

c) to make a mistake

2. Why are a lot of English expressions connected to the sea?

Answers

1. b

2. because Britain is an island

Read

You’re listening to British Council’s English Online and I’m Nina. Today on Language Snacks we take a look at the expression miss the boat. Let’s listen to the dialogue.

A: Have you got your tickets for the big concert next week?

B: No, I missed the boat. I'm so annoyed!

A: Oh dear, have they sold out already?

B: Yes, I called the ticket office this morning. They haven't got any left at all.

A: Wait a minute, I think Pat said he'd bought some extra ones. Shall I ask him if you can have one?

B: Oh, yes please. That would be great!

Have you ever been disappointed because you missed a chance to do something? Perhaps it was a university course that filled up before you could register, or a job advert that you only saw after the interviews had finished. Or maybe you heard about a special offer at a shop but arrived after all the items had been sold? In these situations, you can say you have missed the boat. In other words, you lose an opportunity because you are too late.

A lot of English idioms seem to be about boats, sailors or the sea. This is because Britain is an island, of course, and in the past so much of our lives was concerned with the sea around us.

And that’s it for now – join us again for some more Language Snacks.

You’ve been listening to English Online – the podcast for English learners in China.