Green’s Dictionary of Slang

miss n.²

SE in slang uses

In phrases

give someone/something a miss (v.)

to avoid seeing someone or doing something.

1905		Sporting Times 15 Apr. 2/3: Yet, Spider, I think you’ll give the tart a miss, an’ hang along o’ me to Marrowbon’.
1910		‘Doss Chiderdoss’ ‘Guid Advice’ Sporting Times 2 July 1/3: For a lass wi’ too much chat I always give a miss.
1923		Wodehouse Inimitable Jeeves 164: I was just thinking of suggesting we should lay off and give the rest of the proceedings a miss.
1949		L. Glassop Lucky Palmer 98: Looks like we’ve got to give it a miss this time.
1951		Cusack & James Come in Spinner (1960) 327: Tryin’ to give them blokes in the lion-tamer uniform a miss.
1954		Wodehouse Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit 116: Give it a miss, is my advice.
1970		G.F. Newman Sir, You Bastard 202: I’d give him a miss.
1974		G.F. Newman You Flash Bastard 169: ‘Wouldn’t you be better off giving it a miss ? It’s a bit sussy, Terry.’ ‘You worry too much, son [...] Be all right.’ ‘You hungry bastard – you must’ve earnt more than enough. Drop him right out.’.
1981		W. Russell Educating Rita I v: Don’t you think that for tonight we could give the class a miss?
1995		J. Cameron Vinnie Got Blown Away 79: They might give you a miss if you keep your head down.