missing link

missing link

1. A hypothetical extinct animal that is believed to be the evolutionary connection between man and ape. Scientists will never fully understand the evolution of man until they find the missing link.
2. Something that is significantly, noticeably absent, often because its presence would be helpful or beneficial. Participation is the missing link in your grade, so I would suggest speaking up in class going forward. I think that chlorine is the missing link in this experiment.
See also: link, missing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • go ape
  • go ape, to
  • ape hangers
  • go the way of the dinosaur(s)
  • put (one) off the scent
  • put a dog off the scent
  • put off the scent
  • put someone off the scent
  • put/throw somebody off the scent
  • imprint on (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
Speaking of technology, we saw how Laika, which is led by CEO Travis Knight, uses 3D print custom animated facial performance for the 'Missing Link' characters.
"With Missing Link, he (Chris) wanted a vibrancy and a saturation of color that we hadn't done before.
The makers of Missing Link, Oregon-based stop-motion specialists Laika, won an Oscar nomination in 2017 for Kubo and the Two Strings.
I, personally, continued my search for that 'missing link' in our Federalism advocacy until 2018 came in.
The second speaker of The Missing Link in Scientific Research was Dr Adhra Al-Mawali, a researcher specializing in genetics and the current director for the Center of Studies and Research within the Ministry of Health.
According to break-up of five projects, the cost of construction of missing link of Ring Road will cost up to Rs.
Alain Ditona Moussavouadded that the launching of an investment fund dedicated to the capital financing in favour of local and innovative SMEs/SMIs represented the missing link of a local financial sector ruled by commercial banks reluctant to give loans to SMEs.
In the new study, the team revealed the missing link in the chain, a protein within the cell membrane called metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 or mGluR5.
Referring to the multimedia research project, EoACAyDubai Art World Cartography', presented by Brusselssprout, the design outfit that produces work on contemporary art, Basar expounded on how it is the missing link in the art history of the UAE.
Their research focused on the missing link between diabetes and cerebral hemorrhage.
Ritual as a missing link; sociology, structural ritualization theory and research.
"Fossil Ida: extraordinary find is 'missing link' in human evolution," ran the Guardian headline on May 19.
It is the missing link in the Peripheral Distributor Road around Cardiff.
Neuroscience and Social Work Practice: The Missing Link. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.