You can’t miss it – English expression (Images & Video)

You can’t miss it!

The English expression You Can’t Miss It. There are lots of common English expressions. Today let me show you one that I used 2 days ago when I gave someone directions to a new cafe. Please look at the following conversation:

A: “Why don’t we meet at the new coffee shop that opened on Sunday? It’s brand new so I don’t think too many people will be there.”
B: “Okay, but I’ve never been. Can you tell me how to get there?”
A: “Sure, it’s easy. When you get to the train station take the South exit and turn left. There is a huge sign hanging from the roof. You can’t miss it!“

Can you guess what you can’t miss it means? If you miss something/someone it can mean you didn’t see something/someone.

Carl: “Did you see Bob this morning?”
Stephanie: “No, he left right before I got to the office. I just missed him.”

And we know that if you can’t do something it isn’t possible.

“I can’t stop eating donuts! They are too delicious!”

I can't stop eating donuts! They are too delicious!

The expression’s meaning

So we can easily imagine something that we can’t miss is impossible not to see.
2 negatives in a sentence sound odd here (impossible + not see) so a perfect definition of can’t miss is very easy to see.

From dictionary.cambridge.org

you can’t miss it = it is easy to find:

To get to the mall, go to the next traffic light and make a left – you can’t miss it.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/you-can-t-miss-it

There’s a huge sign, you can’t miss it!

Practice giving directions and use the phrase You can’t miss it! when you describe something that is easy to see!

“I’m having a big garden party this weekend, bring all your friends! I live at 328 Main St. I’ll tie some colorful balloons to my patio gate so you can’t miss it!”