Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
he's lost it
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
he is having a hard time
he has lost his mind
he is past his prime
he is struggling
he is facing challenges
he is in distress
he is suffering
he is in trouble
he is experiencing difficulty
he is struggling with something
he's struggling
he is striving
he is underperforming
he is aiming
he is falling
he is seeking
he is moving
he is coming
he is wishing
he is entering
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
21 human-written examples
Get out there and tell the world he's lost it".
News & Media
The man without his bladder (he doesn't know he's lost it) has a terrible secret.
News & Media
"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
If he only wins three out of four slams in a year, everyone says he's lost it, he is on the way out.
News & Media
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.
News & Media
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
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
"When he's losing, it's Milton".
News & Media
Now he's losing it".
News & Media
He's losing it, in super-slow motion.
News & Media
"Everyone took it as a young coach in over his head — he's losing it, he can't handle it," Leonhard says.
News & Media
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'.
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
he is losing it
Uses the continuous tense to suggest the process of losing control is ongoing
he has lost his touch
Specifically refers to a decline in a previously mastered skill or talent
he has lost his mind
Common hyperbolic expression for acting irrationally
he has gone off the deep end
Informal idiom meaning someone has begun acting in a very strange or irrational way
he has gone mad
A more literal and blunt way to describe a loss of mental stability
he has cracked
Suggests a mental breakdown under pressure
he has snapped
Implies a sudden and violent loss of emotional control
he is past his prime
Focuses on the decline of abilities due to age or time
he is no longer competent
A formal and clinical alternative for professional contexts
he is over the hill
Colloquial expression suggesting someone is too old to be effective
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
90%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested