لا تدع الفرصة تضيع

The phrase is very flexible in daily conversation. You start with متسيبش, which means 'don't let' or 'don't leave.' Then you add الفرصة, which means 'the opportunity.' Finally, تضيع means 'to be wasted' or 'to get lost.' You can say it as a standalone advice. You can also follow it with a specific reason. For example, tell a friend the price is too good to miss.

Use it when a friend gets a great job offer. It is perfect for a massive sale at a mall. Use it when someone is nervous about asking for a date. It works well for travel deals or limited-time events. If you see a rare item for sale, use this phrase. It is common in texting, coffee shop chats, and casual meetings.

Do not use this phrase during a tragedy or loss. It can sound very insensitive if someone is grieving. Avoid using it in extremely formal legal or academic writing. It is a dialect-heavy expression, not Modern Standard Arabic. Also, don't use it if the 'opportunity' is actually a bad idea. You don't want to push friends into risky mistakes!

Egyptians are famous for being resourceful and quick-witted. In a crowded, fast-paced city like Cairo, opportunities are precious. This expression reflects the cultural value of being 'shater' or clever. It is the advice a mentor gives a student. It is the push a parent gives a child. It shows that you care about the other person's success.

To a female, you must say متسيبيش الفرصة تضيع. For a group of people, use متسيبوش الفرصة تضيع. You might also hear مضيعش الفرصة, which means 'don't waste the chance.' Another common version is الفرصة بتيجي مرة واحدة. This means 'opportunity only knocks once.' All of these carry the same urgent, helpful energy.