Have you ever been so close to achieving something, only to fall short at the last moment? That’s where our idiom, “a miss is as good as a mile,” comes into play. With roots grounded in the sixteenth century and popularized by the prolific Sir Walter Scott, this saying reminds us that falling short, by an inch or a mile, is still falling short.
Related and Similar Terms:
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Close but no cigar: An expression indicating that someone came very close to success but did not achieve it.
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Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades: Another phrase pointing out that being near to achieving something is often inadequate.
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So close yet so far: The emotional response to nearly achieving something but ultimately failing.
Proverbs & Expressions:
- Half a loaf is better than none: Suggests that getting a part of what you want is better than not getting anything at all (though rules out hitting the complete target).
- A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush: Implies that ensuring something secure is preferable to riskier opportunities, even if there are promises of greater rewards.
Synonyms:
- Narrow miss
- Near miss
- Narrow escape
Antonyms:
- Direct hit
- Complete success
- Hole-in-one
Humor-filled Quotes:
“When you miss by a nanometer, or a mile, it still feels the same: Not good enough.” — Anonymous Golf Enthusiast 🎿
“Close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and tactful missile drops.” — New Age Scribe 🚀
Suggest Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies
Books:
- “The Almost Moon” by Alice Sebold
- “After You’d Gone” by Maggie O’Farrell
Songs:
- “Almost” by Bowling For Soup
- “So Close” by John McLaughlin
Poetry:
- The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost (themes of choice and retrospect)
Movies:
- Rocky (an illustrative take on near misses and final triumphs)
- The Pursuit of Happyness (close calls and ultimate success against all odds)
In the grand theater of life, whether you miss by an inch or by a mile, the result remains unchanged. Keep aiming higher, as a miss – so close yet so far – is simply a step closer to your eventual, inevitable triumph.
Here’s to hitting the bullseye next time!
📝 E.L. Lexicon 📅 October 1, 2023
