miss a chance — lose an opportunity
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To not take an opportunity when it is available.
Say it like a native
Textbook I failed to capitalise on the opportunity that arose.
Native I missed my chance.
Natives 'miss a/your chance'; 'fail to capitalise on the opportunity' is business-speak.
Pattern: miss a/the chance (to do something)
In use
- I didn't apply for the job, so I missed a chance to work abroad.daily life
- If I hadn't been so nervous during the interview, I wouldn't have missed a chance to get that position.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I lost the chance to ask.
✓ I missed the chance to ask.
You MISS a chance; 'lose a chance' sounds off (though 'lose an opportunity' is OK).
Common collocations
miss a chance— miss, a chance to, don't miss, miss the chance
Don't confuse it
'Miss a chance' focuses on regret or disappointment about not doing something, while 'lose a chance' is less common.