missing link

plural missing links

1. colloquialA hypothetical primate once thought necessary to explain a perceived evolutionary gap between apes and humans.

   "In the latter case, he may well approximate to what the vulgar have called the 'missing link'."

   1912, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Lost World […], London; New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC

   Synonyms: proanthropos

2. figurativelyAny sought-after or valuable intermediary figure or position.

   It is hoped this can finally solve the conundrum of how to connect the base to the elite, for so long the game’s missing link.

   2020 August 3, Simon Hill, “Football looks to digital revolution to find missing link between base and elite”, in The Guardian

   2 more examples

   What we need is an artist who is also a scientist; or a scientist who thinks like an artist. And at last I can unveil that missing link of art and science!

   2010 February 4, Jonathan Jones, “Art v science – at last, the missing link”, in The Guardian

   "For too long, there has been a missing link between the East and West Midlands, and this is our opportunity to reforge it," said Webbe.

   2022 February 23, “Network News: MP urges link between Midlands cities to be 'reforged'”, in RAIL, number 951, page 24