miss out

USAGE SUMMARY

"miss out" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone not doing something, like in the example sentence: "John was sad to miss out on the adventure of a lifetime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Don't miss out!

Independent

"Or they'll miss out".

The New York Times - Arts

Who did we miss out?

Independent

Did I miss out?

The New York Times

"I still miss out on that.

The New York Times - Sports

Surely they would miss out here too.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

He's missing out!

The New York Times - Travel

"He missed out," Ward said.

The New York Times - Sports

They're missing out".

The New York Times

You missed out luxurious.

The Guardian - Books

"I keep missing out," she says.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with the preposition "on" when identifying the specific event or benefit (e.g. "miss out on the bonus.")

Common error

Do not use "miss out" when you simply mean you failed to hit a target or arrived late for transport. For instance, you "miss" a train, but you "miss out" on the chance to travel. "Miss out" always implies the loss of a potential benefit or positive experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "miss out" serves as a phrasal verb. It can function intransitively (standing alone) or transitively when followed by the preposition "on". According to Ludwig's data, it is frequently used to indicate a failure to enjoy a benefit or take an opportunity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "miss out" is a versatile phrasal verb essential for expressing the loss of opportunities or the omission of details. Ludwig AI confirms its validity across a wide spectrum of reliable sources, from the BBC to Unicef. Whether used to describe a sports team failing to qualify or a person forgetting a name on a list, the phrase effectively captures the nuance of being excluded from a positive outcome. It is most effectively used with the preposition "on" when a specific object follows. Writers should favor this phrase over a simple "miss" when they wish to emphasize the value of the experience that was lost.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose out

highlights the disadvantage or loss suffered compared to others

miss the boat

uses an idiomatic expression to emphasize that a window of opportunity has closed

pass up

indicates a choice to decline an opportunity that was available

forgo

suggests a more deliberate or formal choice to go without an experience

omit

specifically targets the sense of leaving something out of a list or document

fail to participate

provides a more literal and descriptive alternative to missing an event

overlook

implies missing something through lack of attention rather than lack of opportunity

be left behind

emphasizes the social or competitive exclusion of the subject

bypass

suggests going around or avoiding an opportunity rather than losing it

exclude

places the focus on the act of being left out by another party

FAQs

How do I use "miss out" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe losing an opportunity, such as "Don't "miss out" on our limited-time offer!" or as an omission, like "I think you "missed out" a few names from the guest list."

What is the difference between "miss" and "miss out"?

While both refer to something not happening, "miss" is broader (missing a bus or a target), whereas ""miss out"" specifically suggests that you are deprived of a benefit or a fun experience that others are enjoying.

Is it "miss out on" or just "miss out"?

Both are correct. Use ""miss out"" alone at the end of a clause or sentence. Use "miss out on" when you want to specify what is being missed, such as a promotion or a party.

What can I say instead of "miss out"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "lose out", "forgo", or "pass up" to describe a missed chance.