A miss is as good as a mile

The syntax of the proverb has been distorted by abridgement: the original structure is apparent from quot. 1614.

An ynche in a misse is as good as an ell [a former measure of length equal to about 1.1 m].
[1614 W. Camden Remains concerning Britain (ed. 2) 303]

An hairs breadth fixed by a divine-finger, shall prove as effectuall a separation from danger as a miles distance.
[1655 T. Fuller Hist. Cambridge 37]

A miss is as good as a mile.
[1788 American Museum Apr. 382]

He was very near being a poet—but a miss is as good as a mile, and he always fell short of the mark.
[1825 Scott Journal 3 Dec. (1939) 28]

If you aimed at a grouse it was hit or miss and a miss was as good as a mile.
[1978 T. Sharpe Throwback vii.]

Related to: error

Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.

Coming close to success but failing is no better than failing by a lot, as in He was beaten by just one vote, but a miss is as good as a mile. This proverbial expression, first recorded in 1614, is a shortening of the older form, "An inch of a miss is as good [or bad] as a mile of a miss."