you snooze, you lose

you snooze, you lose

If you wait too long to do something, that opportunity might become unavailable. The phrase can be used as a warning for events to come, or to describe past things that one has already missed. Come on, we have to get to the bakery early, before all the donuts are sold out! You snooze, you lose! A: "Aw man, I can't believe I missed the chance to meet my favorite author." B: "Well, you snooze, you lose."
See also: lose
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

you snooze, you lose

AMERICAN, INFORMAL
People say you snooze, you lose to mean that if you do not pay attention, you will miss a good opportunity. Do your shopping now while there are good deals: remember, you snooze, you lose.
See also: lose
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • eggs is eggs
  • (as) sure as eggs (is eggs)
  • How long is a piece of string?
  • from my cold, dead hands
  • Heinz
  • Heinz 57
  • Heinz 57 (variety)
  • Heinz 57 variety
  • 57
  • how about
References in periodicals archive
Whatever you do, try your best not to snore while idling though, because you know the old saying: You snooze, you lose. You snore, you lose more.
Frontier Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:RJET), announced on Monday the launch of its "You Snooze, You Lose" autumn fare sale.
In the recently released book, You Snooze, You Lose, Indianapolis author Gerald Twombly addresses the challenges and opportunities facing organizations, especially non-profits, in what he calls "the new economy." Mr.
GOLDEN CORRAL FRANCHISE CHIEF: "IF YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE!"
You snooze, you lose - literally: the wannabe Shattered contestants resort to desperate measures to stay awake and keep their reality TV hopes alive
The phrase, "you snooze, you lose" is certainly true in the various curriculum areas served in career and technical education.
You snooze, you lose! Dozy nightclub burglar found SLEEPING behind the bar
MARTIN O'NEILL insists there is no margin for error against Belgium today, declaring: 'You snooze, you lose.' The Republic of Ireland boss believes rattled Belgium are there for the taking in Bordeaux today.
YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE A tired Watson is all smiles after beating Hampton