The antonyms for the phrase "be on the scene" can be "be absent," "be far away," "miss the action," or "overlook the incident." When someone is not present at a particular event or happening, they cannot be on the scene. It means that they will miss the opportunity to witness or participate in something important. Similarly, if someone is far away from the location where something significant is happening, they cannot be on the scene to react, assist, or analyze. Missing the scene might cause one to overlook an incident or lose crucial evidence. Therefore, it's crucial to be on the scene of important events to stay informed and fully participate in the situation.