miss

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | 626 words | Copyright

miss a miss is as good as a mile proverbial saying, early 17th century, meaning that if you miss the target, it hardly matters by how much; the syntax has been distorted by abridgement: the original form was ‘ an inch in a miss is as good as an ell’ (an ell being a former measure of length equal to about 1.1 metres).
you never miss the water till the well runs dry proverbial saying, early 17th century, applied to situations in which it is only when a source of support or sustenance has been withdrawn that its importance is understood.

See also missing, a slice off a cut loaf isn't missed, not miss a trick.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "miss." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "miss." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-miss.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "miss." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-miss.html

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