lose everything

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'lose everything' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a situation in which someone no longer has any of their belongings or resources, either as a result of a mistake or misfortune. For example: "After making a bad investment, he ended up losing everything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"You lose everything.

The New York Times

"You'll lose everything".

The New Yorker

I will lose everything".

The New Yorker

I could lose everything".

The New York Times

He'd lose everything," said Dawn.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Everybody would essentially lose everything".

The New York Times

Or I can lose everything".

The New York Times

They can gain everything or lose everything".

Independent

To grow old is to lose everything.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

You've lost everything.

Yale University

The family lost everything.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lose everything", consider the specific context to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the extent of the loss. It is often most effective when the loss is comprehensive and impacts multiple aspects of someone's life.

Common error

Avoid using "lose everything" if the loss is not truly comprehensive. Overstating the situation can diminish the impact of your message. For smaller setbacks, more moderate language will be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose everything" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating a complete and total loss. It often serves as the predicate of a sentence, describing what someone or something has experienced.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lose everything" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a complete and devastating loss. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media where it serves to emphasize the severity of situations. While versatile, it's crucial to use the phrase accurately, ensuring the context genuinely reflects a total loss rather than a minor setback. Alternatives such as "forfeit all" or "be stripped of everything" can offer nuanced expressions depending on the nature of the loss. To maximize impact, avoid overstating the situation by using "lose everything" when a more moderate phrase would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

end up with nothing

Focuses on the final outcome of having no possessions or resources.

be stripped of everything

Highlights the forceful removal of all possessions or advantages.

be wiped out

Suggests a sudden and total destruction or elimination, leaving nothing behind.

be reduced to nothing

Emphasizes the state of being left with absolutely nothing, often after a decline or failure.

suffer complete ruin

Conveys a sense of utter devastation and collapse, often in a financial or personal context.

forfeit all

Focuses on the act of surrendering or giving up something, often due to a rule or consequence.

fall into destitution

Highlights the state of extreme poverty and lack of resources as a consequence of loss.

go to zero

Implies a complete loss of value, particularly in a financial or numerical context.

kiss it all goodbye

An informal expression indicating acceptance of an unavoidable loss of everything.

come to grief

Emphasizes the sorrowful and unfortunate result of losing everything.

FAQs

What does it mean to "lose everything"?

To "lose everything" means to suffer a complete loss of possessions, status, or opportunities. It implies a devastating setback that leaves someone with virtually nothing.

How can I use "lose everything" in a sentence?

You can say, "After the fire, they "ended up with nothing". They had "been stripped of everything"".

What are some alternatives to "lose everything"?

Alternatives include "forfeit all", "be stripped of everything", or "suffer complete ruin", depending on the specific context.

Is it always literal when someone says they "lose everything"?

While it often implies a literal loss of possessions, "lose everything" can also be used metaphorically to describe a loss of hope, status, or identity. The specific meaning depends on the context.