miss the boat

to lose an opportunity to do something by being slow to act

(因行动慢而)错过机会，坐失良机

There were tickets available last week, but he missed the boat by waiting till today to try to buy some.

上周还有些票，但他一直等到今天才想去买，错过了机会。

If you don't want to miss the boat, the auction is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on June 26.

如果你不想坐失良机，拍卖会定在6月26日下午2:30。