let someone or something slip through someone's fingers

Meaning: To lose something because one takes too much time to consider the situation.

Example: “He hesitated too long and let the apartment slip through his fingers.”

Origin: The image is of sand or water escaping from a hand that tries to hold it. The phrase for losing a chance is common from the 19th century.

More English idioms

snowball's chance in hell No chance at all.
sow one's wild oats To do foolish or wild things, usually as a youth.
speak of the devil An expression used when someone who is being talked about has just appeared.
split hairs To argue about some detail that is not important.
spring something on someone To surprise someone with something.
on the spur of the moment Suddenly or spontaneously; without advance planning.

Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.

Tu as de la répartie You're brilliantly quick-witted — always ready with the perfect comeback.
Eres un crack You're brilliant — a total star at what you do.
Eres muy majo/a You're a lovely, kind, and genuine person — the nicest way to compliment someone's charac…

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