We often miss opportunity because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work

The saying contrasts the romantic idea of “opportunity” with its more common reality: chances for advancement usually arrive as demanding, unglamorous labor. By picturing opportunity “dressed in overalls,” it suggests that people overlook promising openings because they resemble ordinary work rather than sudden luck or inspiration. The line aligns with the broader Edison-associated ethos that invention and success are products of persistence, experimentation, and sustained effort. It also functions as a critique of passivity—waiting for a perfect moment—arguing instead that opportunity is recognized and seized through willingness to do the hard, practical tasks others avoid.

1) "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
2) "Most people miss opportunity because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work."
3) "Opportunity is missed because it looks like work."