miss out on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'miss out on' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to when someone has lost the opportunity to do or have something, usually due to some kind of mistake or mischance. For example, "I missed out on tickets to the concert because they sold out too quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We miss out on the director's commentary.

The New York Times - Tech

Whinny-maker Did your horse miss out on Christmas?

Forbes

We miss out on laughter, inspiration, culture and collaboration.

TechCrunch

We miss out on things.

Huffington Post

"I still miss out on that.

The New York Times - Sports

GB miss out on basketball bronze.

BBC

They miss out on the possibilities.

Independent

"You miss out on opportunities.

The New York Times

But I'd miss out on so much.

The New York Times

Vegetarians shouldn't miss out on barbecues either.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Don't miss out on a good thing.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the object following 'on' is something positive or desirable; you wouldn't typically 'miss out on' a punishment.

Common error

Do not use 'lose' when you mean "miss out on". 'Lose' implies you once possessed something and no longer do, whereas "miss out on" implies you never had the chance to possess it in the first place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "miss out on" functions as a transitive phrasal verb (specifically a three-part phrasal verb). It requires an object to complete its meaning. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe the failure to take advantage of an opportunity. Grammatically, 'miss' is the base verb, 'out' is the adverbial particle, and 'on' is the preposition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "miss out on" is a robust and essential part of the English language, primarily used to signal a lost opportunity or a skipped experience. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and exceptionally common in high-quality journalism and formal reporting. Whether discussing sports stars who "miss out on selection" or businesses that don't want to "miss out on sales", the phrase effectively communicates the negative impact of an absence. It is versatile enough for both the casual advice of a WikiHow article and the serious reporting of the BBC. Writers should use it to emphasize the value of what was lost, ensuring the object of the phrase is always a desirable outcome or experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose out on

Directly interchangeable but often implies a competitive loss or financial disadvantage

pass up

Implies a more deliberate or active decision to reject an opportunity

let slip through one's fingers

Idiomatic expression for losing a great opportunity through carelessness

forgo

A more formal term implying one is going without something by choice

deprive oneself of

Stronger emphasis on the negative consequence of the loss

skip

More informal and suggests omitting a single event or step

overlook

Suggests missing an opportunity due to a lack of attention or a mistake

bypass

Implies moving past or avoiding something, often intentionally

fail to catch

Often used for events or media one didn't manage to see

neglect

Implies missing something due to a lack of proper care or priority

FAQs

What can I say instead of "miss out on"?

You can use alternatives like "lose out on", "pass up", or "forgo" depending on whether the loss was accidental or intentional.

Is "miss out on" too informal for business writing?

No, it is widely used in professional contexts. For example, Unicef and various scientific journals use it to describe children who "miss out on schooling" or patients who might "miss out on treatment".

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

To "miss" something often refers to a physical target or a specific scheduled event (e.g., "miss a bus"), while "miss out on" emphasizes the loss of an experience, benefit, or opportunity.

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

It is typically followed by a noun or a gerund. For instance, "Don't "miss out on the fun"" or "He didn't want to "miss out on seeing" the ocean".