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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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he's lost it

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Get out there and tell the world he's lost it".

The man without his bladder (he doesn't know he's lost it) has a terrible secret.

"It doesn't take long for people to move on to the next page, so to speak, in the game and say, 'Well, he's lost it,' " Berkman said.

News & Media

The New York Times

If he only wins three out of four slams in a year, everyone says he's lost it, he is on the way out.

For the last 10 years I've found myself defending Amis against charges that he's lost it, and when I read [Yellow Dog] I felt somewhat cheated.

After retrieving her car from McLaughlln Chevy, Louise meets Dan at the Strongheart, a diner in Stone City Dan has had a key made for her, but he's lost it.

News & Media

The New Yorker
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

A smart man with Alzheimer's, painfully aware that he's losing it, he lays down, for Dylan's sake, some elementary life lessons.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"When he's losing, it's Milton".

News & Media

The New Yorker

Now he's losing it".

News & Media

The New York Times

He's losing it, in super-slow motion.

"Everyone took it as a young coach in over his head — he's losing it, he can't handle it," Leonhard says.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In sports or professional commentary, this phrase effectively highlights a sudden decline in performance compared to past greatness.

Common error

Avoid using "he's lost it" in a vacuum if you mean he literally misplaced an object unless that object was previously defined in the conversation. Without a clear antecedent, readers will automatically assume the idiomatic meaning of 'going crazy' or 'losing ability'.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

90%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he's lost it" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase where "it" is a dummy pronoun representing a person's mental faculties, skills or composure. According to Ludwig, it is a contraction of "he has lost it", using the present perfect tense to describe a current state resulting from a past change.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "he's lost it" is a versatile idiom that captures the moment someone crosses the line from competence to failure or from sanity to irrationality. Ludwig data shows a high prevalence in sports and political journalism, where it serves as a powerful shorthand for a decline in stature. Whether used to describe a tennis pro missing easy shots or a politician making wild claims, the phrase relies on the listener's understanding that "it" represents the essential quality—be it skill, cool-headedness or logic—that the person previously possessed. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, writers should be mindful of its informal weight and ensure the context clarifies whether the loss is mental, emotional or professional.

FAQs

What does "he's lost it" mean?

It is an idiom used to say that someone has lost their sanity, their self-control, or the skill and ability they once possessed. You might use it when someone starts acting strangely or when a top athlete starts performing poorly.

Is "he's lost it" formal enough for a business report?

Generally, no. It is better to use more precise language like "his performance has declined" or "he is acting irrationally" in a formal business context.

What is the difference between "he's lost it" and "he's losing it"?

The phrase "he's lost it" implies the state is reached or the decline is complete, while "he's losing it" suggests the person is currently in the process of breaking down or failing.

What can I say instead of "he's lost it" to sound more empathetic?

To be more sympathetic, you could say "he is under a lot of stress" or "he is having a hard time".

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Source & Trust

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: