all but lost

USAGE SUMMARY

"all but lost" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means almost or nearly lost, but not quite completely lost. It is typically used to convey a sense of almost losing something, but managing to hold onto it in the end. Example: After wandering for hours in the vast forest, we were all but lost. But just when we had given up hope, we stumbled upon a familiar landmark and found our way back to the trail.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Labour was all but lost for words".

The Guardian

All but lost in the din were the candidates themselves.

The New York Times

Melvina Lathan had all but lost her voice.

The Guardian - Sport

Worse: we have all but lost the remainder.

The Guardian - Opinion

New Orleans was all but lost for want of an adequate system of levees and floodwalls.

The New York Times

She is under the weather today, and has all but lost her voice.

Independent

And the memory of the patients who lived and died there is all but lost.

The New York Times

Publishers had all but lost that power on Amazon.com's Kindle e-reader.

The New York Times

Oil companies, meanwhile, have all but lost interest in drilling here, an industry spokesman said.

The New York Times

He was sent back to the minor leagues the next spring, all but lost.

The New York Times - Sports

"I know it's not over until the jurors come back, but this is all but lost".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all but lost" to emphasize a situation where something was very close to being completely gone or unrecoverable, but perhaps a glimmer of hope or a slight chance of recovery remains. This adds a layer of nuance and tension to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "all but lost" when something is definitively and completely lost. The phrase implies a state of almost being lost, not a confirmed loss. Using it incorrectly can confuse your reader about the actual status of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but lost" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the state of something that is very close to being lost or irrecoverable. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly used to convey a sense of near loss, emphasizing a situation's precariousness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all but lost" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a state of near loss or irrecoverability. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase adds a nuance of precariousness and impending finality. Its usage is prevalent in news and media, lending a dramatic effect to various narratives. While versatile in register, it's essential to use it accurately, ensuring that the subject is truly almost lost, not definitively so. Alternatives such as "virtually lost" and "practically lost" offer similar shades of meaning, allowing writers to fine-tune their expression. Remember to employ "all but lost" to amplify the tension and gravity of a situation, signaling that the stakes are exceedingly high.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually lost

Emphasizes the near-complete state of being lost, similar to "all but lost" but focusing on the completeness of the potential loss.

practically lost

Highlights the practical reality of the loss, indicating that in effect, it's as good as lost.

almost entirely lost

Stresses the extent of the loss, indicating a very high degree of loss but not necessarily absolute.

nearly irretrievable

Focuses on the difficulty of recovering what has been lost, suggesting a challenging or impossible recovery.

as good as lost

A more emphatic way of saying that something is lost with very little chance of recovery.

on the verge of being lost

Emphasizes the imminence of the loss, suggesting that it will happen very soon.

teetering on the brink of loss

Implies a precarious situation where loss is highly probable unless there is intervention.

in danger of being lost

Indicates a risk of loss, but also suggests that there might still be time to prevent it.

close to being irrecoverable

Similar to "nearly irretrievable", but focuses on the general state of being irrecoverable.

verging on oblivion

Implies a loss that is nearly complete and irreversible, often with a sense of fading into nothingness.

FAQs

How can I use "all but lost" in a sentence?

You can use "all but lost" to describe something that is nearly lost or gone. For example, "After the storm, their hope was "all but lost" until they found survivors".

What does "all but lost" mean?

"All but lost" means nearly or almost lost, but not completely. It indicates that something is in a state very close to being irrecoverable or gone.

What are some alternatives to saying "all but lost"?

Alternatives include "virtually lost", "practically lost", or "nearly irretrievable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "all but lost hope"?

Yes, it is correct to say "all but lost hope". It means that someone has nearly lost all hope, implying a dire situation but with a slight chance that hope might still be rekindled.