What does “A miss is as good as a mile.” mean?
"A miss is as good as a mile" means that even a small error or mistake can have significant consequences or be considered a failure.
What context can I use the in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
Example
He missed the target by just a few inches, but a miss is as good as a mile. He still failed to hit the mark.
He missed the target by just a few inches, but a miss is as good as a mile. He still failed to hit the mark.
Example
She thought she could get away with a small mistake, but a miss is as good as a mile. Her error had serious consequences.
She thought she could get away with a small mistake, but a miss is as good as a mile. Her error had serious consequences.
Example
Don't underestimate the importance of attention to detail. Remember, a miss is as good as a mile. Even a small mistake can be costly
Don't underestimate the importance of attention to detail. Remember, a miss is as good as a mile. Even a small mistake can be costly
Is “A miss is as good as a mile.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“A miss is as good as a mile.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “A miss is as good as a mile.” effectively in context?
You can use "A miss is as good as a mile" to emphasize the significance of even small errors or mistakes. It highlights the idea that regardless of how close you come to achieving something, if you ultimately fail, it doesn't matter how close you were. For example, if someone narrowly avoids a car accident, you might say, 'Well, a miss is as good as a mile. You still need to be more careful.'
- 1Sports
He missed the winning shot by just a hair, but a miss is as good as a mile. The team still lost the game.
He missed the winning shot by just a hair, but a miss is as good as a mile. The team still lost the game.
- 2Academics
She thought she could get away with a small error in her calculations, but a miss is as good as a mile. Her mistake cost her a perfect score on the exam.
She thought she could get away with a small error in her calculations, but a miss is as good as a mile. Her mistake cost her a perfect score on the exam.
- 3Work
Don't underestimate the importance of attention to detail. Remember, a miss is as good as a mile. Even a small mistake can have significant consequences.
Don't underestimate the importance of attention to detail. Remember, a miss is as good as a mile. Even a small mistake can have significant consequences.
Similar phrases to “A miss is as good as a mile.”:
Being close to success or achieving a goal is not enough; only actual success matters.
Example
He almost won the race, but as they say, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
He almost won the race, but as they say, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Making progress but then encountering setbacks that nullify the progress made.
Example
She thought she was making progress in her project, but with each mistake, it felt like one step forward, two steps back.
She thought she was making progress in her project, but with each mistake, it felt like one step forward, two steps back.
Taking timely action to prevent a problem from becoming worse or more difficult to solve.
Example
He fixed the small leak in the pipe right away, knowing that a stitch in time saves nine.
He fixed the small leak in the pipe right away, knowing that a stitch in time saves nine.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “A miss is as good as a mile.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "A miss is as good as a mile" is unknown.
Is “A miss is as good as a mile.” common in everyday conversation?
"A miss is as good as a mile" is not as commonly used in everyday conversation compared to other proverbs. However, it is still recognized and understood by native English speakers.
What tone does “A miss is as good as a mile.” have?
"A miss is as good as a mile" conveys a tone of caution and warning. It serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor mistakes can lead to significant negative outcomes.
Can “A miss is as good as a mile.” be used in informal and formal settings?
"A miss is as good as a mile" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a versatile proverb that can be used in various contexts to highlight the importance of attention to detail and the potential consequences of small errors.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He missed the target by just a few inches, but a miss is as good as a mile. He still failed to hit the mark.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the proverb even if used alone, like saying 'Remember, a miss is as good as a mile!' to imply the significance of avoiding mistakes.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- every mistake counts
- no room for error
- small mistakes have big consequences
- a small slip can sink a great ship
- even a little miss is still a miss
Antonyms
- close enough is good enough
- almost doesn't count
- a near miss is better than a mile off
- a small mistake is no big deal
- a little slip is forgivable
