To “give something a miss” means to deliberately avoid or skip an activity, event, or opportunity. If you give something a miss, then you are consciously deciding not to participate in or attend something.
e.g. I think I’ll give the party a miss tonight. I’m feeling tired.
This phrase is often used in casual conversation, particularly in British English, but it’s understood in other English-speaking countries as well.
We can use this phrase to decline something in a more polite, indirect or gentle way. It’s less abrupt or direct than saying “I won’t go” or “I’m not doing that.”
e.g. It’s very kind of you to invite me for lunch but I think I’ll have to give it a miss – I’ve got a lot of work to do unfortunately.
Here are some dictations using this expression in context:
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…I’m on a tight budget…
If you’re on a tight budget then money is limited and must be carefully controlled. There’s little or no room for extra expenses beyond essential costs.
e.g. We’re on a tight budget this month, so we can’t afford to eat out
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…this time around…
“This time around” refers to the current instance or occurrence of something, often implying a contrast with previous or future times, or suggesting that things may be different now compared to before/after.
e.g. I know I’ve picked some bad films recently, but I’m pretty sure it’s a good one this time around.
Here’s a natural example in an Irish accent (for context, Galway is a city by the sea on the west coast of Ireland):
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, Galway . . Galway .
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…I’ll just leave it until…
The phrase “I’ll leave it” is used to say that you’re choosing not to do or have something, or to not continue with something.
e.g. It doesn’t look like we’re going to reach an agreement on this, so I think it’s best if we leave it for now.
And another in an Australian accent, from a conversation about beauty products:
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…make sure it fits before diving in…
If you dive into something, you start or engage in something enthusiastically, quickly, or without hesitation.
e.g. Beginning an essay is usually the hardest part. Don’t overthink it, just dive in and start writing.
Extra practice
When was the last time you decided to give something a miss? Why did you make that choice?
Have you ever regretted giving something a miss? What was it, and why do you regret it now?
How do you politely tell someone you’re going to give an event a miss without hurting their feelings?
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This exercise:5 dictations
Accents:Australia, Ireland, North America, Received Pronunciation