lose
Fail to win a contest
To not win in a game or contest.
to lose [a game/match/competition]
- Our team lost the final by three points.
- She lost the chess match after making a mistake.
- They lost to their rivals in the championship.
- We lost the game.
- He lost the race.
- They lost the match.
No longer have something
To stop having something because you cannot find it or it is taken away.
to lose [something]
- I lost my phone on the bus.
- She lost her wallet at the mall.
- He lost his job after the company closed.
- I lost my bag.
- She lost her keys.
- He lost his phone.
Fail to keep possession
To stop having the ball or other object in a game.
to lose [the ball/the lead]
- The striker lost the ball to the defender.
- They lost the lead in the second half.
- She lost possession after a bad pass.
- He lost the ball.
- They lost the lead.
- She lost the puck.
Fail to maintain a state
To stop having a certain feeling, ability, or condition.
to lose [interest/patience/control]
- He lost interest in the project after a month.
- She lost control of the car on the icy road.
- They lost hope after many failures.
- I lost interest in the book.
- He lost control of his bike.
- We lost hope.
Decrease in amount or value
To have less weight, money, or value than before.
to lose [weight/money/value]
- She lost five kilograms on her new diet.
- The company lost millions during the recession.
- My stocks lost value last year.
- I want to lose weight.
- He lost money in the game.
- The car lost value quickly.
Be deprived of someone
To not have someone anymore because they died or left forever.
to lose [someone]
- She lost her father when she was young.
- He lost his best friend in an accident.
- They lost many soldiers in the war.
- I lost my father last year.
- She lost her friend in an accident.
- We lost our teacher when he moved away.
- Base: lose
- 3rd Person Singular: loses
- Present Participle: losing
- Past: lost
- Past Participle: lost
- Irregular past: lost Verb
- Irregular past participle: lost Verb
lose one's temper
1Suddenly become very angry
To suddenly get very angry and not stay calm.
- He lost his temper when he saw the mess.
- She tries not to lose her temper at work.
lose out (on)
1Miss an opportunity for benefit
To not get something good because you were too late or not chosen.
- We lost out on the contract because our bid was late.
- She didn’t apply and lost out on a great job.
lose face
1Suffer loss of respect publicly
To be less respected by others because of what happened.
- He didn’t want to admit he was wrong and lose face.
- He didn't want to lose face by admitting his mistake.
- The politician risked losing face by changing his position.
- The politician lost face after the scandal.
lose touch (with)
1Stop being in contact with someone
To not talk to or meet someone anymore over time.
- I lost touch with my college friends.
- They lost touch after moving to different cities.
lose touch (with)
2Stop communicating over time
To not talk to someone anymore after some time passes.
- I lost touch with my college roommate after we graduated.
- They lost touch years ago but recently reconnected.
lose track of
1Fail to remain aware of something
To not know where something is or what is happening with it anymore.
- I lost track of time while reading.
- She lost track of her expenses and overspent.
- He lost track of where his friends were.