missing piece
/mɪsɪŋ piːs/ · mis·sing·piece
noun
- A component or element that is absent or unaccounted for, often causing a problem or hindering progress. The missing piece of the puzzle was a crucial document that had gone missing during the audit.
- A person or thing that is not present or accounted for, often causing concern or disruption. The missing piece of the team was the star player who had been injured in the previous game.
idiom
- A situation or circumstance that is incomplete or lacking a vital element. The missing piece of the plan was the funding, which had not been secured yet.
Did you know? The phrase 'missing piece' has been used in various contexts, including literature and music. For example, the novel 'The Missing Piece' by Shel Silverstein explores the idea of a puzzle piece searching for its missing counterpart.