lose it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lose it" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, it indicates a lack of control or self-possession, and can be used in a variety of contexts. For example, "He was so angry that he completely lost it and started shouting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lose it.

The New Yorker

He will lose it.

The New Yorker

"Lose it?" Elizalde asked.

The New Yorker

Many will lose it.

The New York Times

"I didn't lose it.

The New York Times - Sports

'You can't lose it.

Independent

We might lose it".

The New York Times

Slowly you lose it.

The New York Times

"We didn't lose it!

The New Yorker

GPS UNIT Lose it.

The New York Times - Tech

So you'll probably lose it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lose it" sparingly in formal writing. While grammatically correct, more precise or formal alternatives may be more appropriate depending on the context. For example, you could say 'he lost control' instead.

Common error

Avoid using "lose it" when you actually mean "misplace it". "Lose it" implies a loss of control or temper, while "misplace it" means you can't find something.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lose it" is as an idiomatic verb phrase. It describes the action of losing control, temper, or possession of something. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it is commonly used in both past ("lost it") and present tenses ("lose it", "losing it").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lose it" is a common idiomatic phrase with multiple meanings, most frequently used to describe losing one's temper, control, or misplacing something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usability in various contexts. While it's best suited for neutral to informal settings, avoiding overuse in formal writing is advisable. To prevent common mistakes, ensure you're not confusing it with "misplace it". As the examples demonstrate, "lose it" effectively conveys strong emotional reactions, particularly in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

snap

Implies a sudden loss of control, often due to stress or anger; less versatile than "lose it".

go crazy

Indicates a loss of sanity or emotional control, often in a more extreme or prolonged way than "lose it".

blow one's top

Specifically refers to losing one's temper and becoming very angry, a more specific meaning than "lose it".

lose one's temper

A formal and direct way of saying someone became angry; lacks the idiomatic feel of "lose it".

be overcome

Refers to losing control due to a strong emotion. It's less commonly used but can fit in certain contexts.

crack up

Specifically refers to uncontrollably laugh, and fits in some contexts where "lose it" refers to laugh uncontrollably

misplace

Implies accidentally losing something physical; a different sense of "lose it" relating to objects.

be deprived of

Refers to the loss of something essential or necessary; a far semantic transformation compared to the most common meaning of "lose it".

squander

Refers to waste something (opportunity or money). Not interchangeable with "lose it".

forfeit

Refers to losing something because of breaking a rule. Not interchangeable with "lose it".

FAQs

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

You can use "lose it" to describe someone losing their temper, such as, "He's going to lose it when he finds out what happened". It can also mean to misplace something, like "I'm going to lose it if I don't find my keys".

What's a more formal way to say "lose it"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "lose control", "lost his temper", or "misplace" as more formal alternatives to "lose it".

Is it grammatically correct to say "losing it"?

Yes, "losing it" is the present participle form and can be used in continuous tenses, such as "He is "losing it" after the argument".

Which is correct, "lose it" or "loose it"?

"Lose it" is the correct phrase, meaning to lose control. "Loose it" is incorrect in this context. "Loose" means not tight.