Miss One’s Guess, To
To be mistaken or wrong in one’s assumptions. This phrase, entangled with the history of human error, dates back to the early 1900s. It’s often used in somewhat negative assertions, much like, “And, when you’re older, an overdose of sex appeal, or I miss my guess” (Mazo de la Roche, Whiteoak Harvest, 1936).
Related and Similar Terms
- Barking up the wrong tree: Pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought.
- Foot in mouth: Saying something wrong or inappropriate.
- Off the mark: Not accurate or correct.
- Goofed up: Made a minor or major error.
Synonyms and Antonyms
- Synonyms: Err, Blunder, Misjudge, Miscalculate, Misconstrue
- Antonyms: Get it right, Nail it, Hit the nail on the head, Be spot-on
Humor-filled Quotes
- “Making a wrong guess is simply the opportunity to start over intelligently… or to order more coffee.” — J. K. Humbugs
- “Missed my guess? Oh, I thought you said miss my guesswork entirely!” — Witless Wonder
Proverbs
- To err is human: It’s normal for humans to make mistakes.
- Mistakes are the portals of discovery: Sometimes errors lead to better understandings or new insights.
What to Read, Watch, or Sing
- Books:
- Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me) by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson
- The Big Short by Michael Lewis
- Movies:
- Planes, Trains & Automobiles - navigating mistaken assumptions and mishaps.
- The Grand Budapest Hotel - a witty tale where guesses often go hilariously wrong.
- Songs:
- “Oops!… I Did It Again” by Britney Spears - a humorous take on repeating mistakes.
- “Failure” by Kings of Convenience - a reflective melody on making mistakes.
Quizzes:
### Is this expression positively oriented?
- [ ] Yes
- [x] No
> **Explanation:** The phrase “miss one’s guess” indicates making an error or being mistaken, which is generally seen negatively.
### Choose the situation where you can use "miss one's guess"
- [ ] Accurately predicting the weather
- [ ] Winning a chess game flawlessly
- [x] Incorrectly guessing who would win a bet
- [ ] Finishing a puzzle correctly
> **Explanation:** Use "miss one's guess" when someone’s assumption or prediction turns out to be wrong, like incorrectly guessing the outcome of a bet.
### True or False: "Miss one's guess" can be used synonymously with "make an educated guess"
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** "Miss one's guess" means to be mistaken in your assumption, while "make an educated guess" implies making a calculated and informed guess.
### Which idiom means the same as "miss one's guess"?
- [x] Barking up the wrong tree
- [ ] Hitting the nail on the head
- [ ] In the same boat
- [ ] Every cloud has a silver lining
> **Explanation:** "Barking up the wrong tree" means pursuing a wrong or mistaken idea, similar to "miss one's guess."
Inspirational Thought-Provoking Farewell
“Remember, every mistaken guess is a step on the path to eventual wisdom. Each error is a chapter in the quirky, oftener-than-not-puzzling book of life. So, go ahead, guess away—and get ready for an adventure, or I miss my guess.” — I. M. Soffit
