눈앞에서 놓치다

nun-ap-e-seo no-chi-da
miss out on something right in front of you

기회를 눈앞에서 놓치면 후회할 거예요.

If you miss out on the opportunity right in front of you, you'll regret it.


informal

To fail to take advantage of an opportunity or chance that is immediately available or right in front of you.

그는 좋은 직업을 눈앞에서 놓쳤어요.

He missed out on a great job right in front of him.

그녀는 사랑을 눈앞에서 놓쳤어요.

She missed out on love right in front of her.

This phrase emphasizes the regret of failing to act on something obvious or readily available.

Collocations

기회를 눈앞에서 놓치다to miss out on an opportunity right in front of you좋은 기회를 눈앞에서 놓치다to miss out on a good opportunity

Related Phrases

눈앞의 기회를 잡다phrase
to seize the opportunity right in front of you

Pro Tip

Avoiding Regret

Use this phrase when giving advice about acting on immediate opportunities. For example: 'Don't let good chances slip away just because they seem obvious.'

Gold Rule

Literal vs. Figurative Meaning

While the phrase literally means 'to miss something right in front of your eyes,' its figurative use focuses on opportunities or chances that are clearly available but not acted upon.

Word Origin

Combination of '눈앞' (noun: right in front of one's eyes) and '놓치다' (verb: to miss, to let slip). The phrase emerged from the literal sense of something being physically visible but failing to grasp it.

Usage Notes

This phrase is often used in everyday conversation to express regret over missed opportunities. It carries a stronger emotional weight than simply '놓치다' (to miss) because it emphasizes the immediacy and visibility of the opportunity.

Word Breakdown

눈앞
right in front of one's eyes
noun
+
에서
from (a place)
postposition
+
놓치다
to miss, to let slip
verb
한영사전