- to be punished for a mistake

"The fund managers who lost our money in the stock market should be asked to walk the plank."

- without a problem

"I thought first driving lesson would be terrible but it was plain sailing and I loved it! ."

- miss a good opportunity

"You should have asked Polly out on a date when she was single. You really missed the boat!"

- find out how to do a job

"I'll have to learn the ropes before my boss lets me make coffee myself. "