ships that pass in the night

Meaning

Noun

• Two or more people who encounter one another in a transitory, incidental manner and whose relationship is without lasting significance; two or more people who almost encounter one another, but do not do so.
• Things which have no significant connection or commonality.

Origin

• From a poetic metaphor by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882).{{cite-book
• |year=1874
• |author=Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
• |authorlink=Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
• |title=Tales of a Wayside Inn
• |chapter=Part Third, The Theologian's Tale, Elizabeth