在英语中，"lose an opportunity" 或 "miss an opportunity" 都可以表示"失去机会"的意思。

这个短语的来源可能来自日常生活中的情况，比如在求职时错过了一个很好的工作机会，或者在旅游时没能抓住一个机会去参观一个特别的地方。

以下是一些英文例句：

I lost the opportunity to go to college because I couldn't afford it. (我因为负担不起而失去了上大学的机会。)
She missed the opportunity to see her favorite band because she couldn't get tickets. (她因为买不到门票而错过了看她最喜欢的乐队的机会。)
He lost the opportunity to meet the president because he was too busy. (他因为太忙而失去了与总统见面的机会。)
They missed the opportunity to go on a trip because they didn't have enough money. (他们因为没有足够的钱而错过了旅行的机会。)