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Glite Dictionary
to miss the memo

to miss the memo

2 7.5
Do not know important information because you were not told
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : no enterarse
  • Looks like Obama missed the memo.

So apparently I missed the memo.

Examples

  • She seemed confused because she missed the memo regarding the deadline extensions.

  • If you miss the memo, you won't know the latest updates on the project.

  • I missed the memo, I guess.

    Tall Girl 2 (2022)

  • Or have they already started and I missed the memo?

    Blog text (7)

  • I think I just kind of missed the memo about how to fit in in Cincinnati.

    Bandslam (2009)

  • Did I miss the memo where this is socially accepted now?

    Blog text (18)

  • In case you missed the memo, "Homeland" is the best television drama you need to be watching.

    Blog text (22)

  • Perhaps I've missed the memo, but it appears some scientists get a pass and some don't.

    Blog text (13)

  • I must have missed the memo about the meeting time changing.

Synonyms

to miss
vsto miss the memo
518 1.7

To not notice or hear something important

is about being unaware of important information rather than any overlooked detail
to miss the update
vsto miss the memo
3.3

Fail to get the latest information

is unaware of important information rather than only recent changes

Antonyms

to stay informed
7 3.1

To keep up with the latest news and events

How Informed

to get the memo
  • Informal
14 7.1
to miss the memo
2 7.5

Surface Forms

miss the memo infinitive
missed the memo past
missed the memo past participle
missing the memo present participle
misses the memo third person singular

Morphology

miss + the + memo

The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'miss' (to overlook or fail to receive) plus 'memo' (a written notice) yields failing to receive or notice an important message. This compositional, workplace-specific sense follows standard English patterns and would be predictable to a B1 learner who knows both words.

Etymology

The phrase miss the memo comes from offices where important short notes called memos were sent to everyone; if you missed one, you did not get the information. So, saying someone 'missed the memo' means they are 'unaware' of information that others already know.