Possible Clues:

• Waste an opportunity
• Fail at a dock?
• Single woman with hat to be replaced gets to lose an opportunity
• Be wrong
• Be too late
• Fail to take chance of helping oneself to gravy?
• Lose a chance like forgetful shore stopper on cruise?
• Blow opportunity as tardy tars may do
• Don't take a chance - fire shot across bows, say
• Young lady, given gravy jug, can't grab it quick enough