Miss is as good as a mile

Definitions

• close does not count
  To emphasize that coming close to achieving something is not the same as actually achieving it

• small difference
  To emphasize that a small difference in distance or effort can have the same result as a large difference

Examples of Miss is as good as a mile

• Sarah's singing ability is so poor that Miss is as good as a mile away from her.

  This idiom is used to compare someone's skills or qualities to an extreme negative level. Sarah's singing is so bad that it's as though Miss, who is far away, is still better than Sarah in terms of singing ability.

• Tom's athletic performance was so lacking that Miss could have run a mile before he even started.

  This idiom is used in the context of comparing someone's ability to perform an activity to that of a person who is running a significant distance. Tom's athleticism was so poor that it's as though Miss could have run a mile before Tom even began.

• Emily's painting skills are so poor that Miss could have created a masterpiece before Emily even started.

  This idiom is used in the context of comparing someone's artistic abilities to that of a person who is way ahead in terms of skill. Emily's painting skills are so lacking that it's as though Miss could have created a masterpiece before Emily even made a start.

• The new chef's cooking skills were so poor that Miss could have cooked a mile-long banquet before the chef even started.

  This idiom is used in the context of comparing someone's culinary abilities to that of a person who is capable of cooking a significant quantity of food. The new chef's cooking skills were so lacking that it's as though Miss could have cooked a mile-long banquet before the chef even began.

• The teacher told me Miss Smith is as good as a mile.

  This means that Miss Smith is extremely skilled and competent in her teaching abilities, just as if she has traveled a distance of a mile ahead of others. It highlights the high level of excellence and superiority of the person being referred to.

• After the presentation, my boss said that my missive was as good as a mile.

  This example is slightly different from the previous one. Here, "missive" refers to a written communication, such as a report or a letter. The statement essentially means that the written communication produced by the speaker was exceptional and outstanding, as if it had traveled a distance of a mile ahead of others due to its superior quality.

• My aunt told me her new house is as good as a mile away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

  Here, the idiom is being used figuratively to convey that the new house of the speaker's aunt is so far away from the city that its location is as if it is miles away, implying that it is very peaceful and quiet.

• The student's essay was as good as a mile ahead of the rest of the class.

  This example is similar to the first, but this time is used in the context of an essay written by a student. It is emphasizing how the essay stood out from the rest of the class, as if the essay had already traveled a distance of a mile ahead of the others due to its superior quality.In all these examples, the use of "Miss is as good as a mile" serves as a strong metaphor to describe the level of excellence and superiority of a person or thing being discussed. It is often used when there is a need to emphasize the exceptional qualities of something or someone, highlighting how far ahead they are in terms of their skills, abilities, or performance.

Conclusion

The idiom "miss is as good as a mile" is used to convey the idea that coming close to achieving something is not the same as actually achieving it. It can also be used to emphasize that a small difference in distance or effort can have the same result as a large difference. In both cases, the idiom serves to highlight the importance of actually achieving the desired outcome rather than just coming close to it.

Origin of "Miss is as good as a mile"

The origin of the idiom "miss is as good as a mile" dates back to the 17th century. It is believed to have originated in England and was likely used in the context of navigation and measurement. The idiom emphasizes the idea that missing a target by even a small distance can have the same result as missing it by a much larger distance. Over time, the idiom has come to be used in a more general sense to convey the concept that close does not count and that a miss, regardless of how small, is still a miss. Its origins in navigation and measurement have given it a lasting relevance and applicability in various contexts.

Examples:

• She came so close to winning the race, but as they say, a miss is as good as a mile.
• I almost made it to the bus on time, but in the end, a miss is as good as a mile.