lose livelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

"lose livelihood" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone who has lost their means of making a living or supporting themselves. Example: The closure of the factory caused many workers to lose their livelihood, leaving them struggling to provide for their families.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And so some 500 people stand to lose livelihoods that only recently lifted them above subsistence.

The Economist

"Worse than divorce, because it's lost livelihood".

The New York Times

"But how can anyone compensate a lost livelihood?" Mr. Nakhwa asked, sitting at his office desk beside a giant fish tank.

The New York Times

Houses can be replaced but in southern Africa arable land is scarce, and restoring the lost livelihood of a poor land-dependent household is difficult.

Forest Ecosystems

Back in the real world, jobs are lost, livelihoods taken away, families break apart, partners leave or pass away.

The Guardian - Opinion

BP has paid $20bn into an account to compensate Gulf businesses for lost livelihoods because of the oil disaster.

The Guardian - Business

Eviction; land takeovers; home demolitions; environmental degradation; lost livelihoods: The oil flares were no longer harmless sky-writings but the fires of improvidence and indifference.

The New York Times

Israel's Gaza Restrictions A United Nations report says 12 percent of Gaza's residents have lost livelihoods or have otherwise been affected by Israeli security policies along the border in recent years.

The New York Times

The road agency might be sued for lost livelihoods.

Forest Ecosystems

Most have received compensation, but environmentalists say it is not enough to temper the long-term impact of lost livelihoods.

Forbes

Ancestral homes have been lost, livelihoods destroyed and communities ripped apart.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic hardship or the impact of job losses, using the phrase "lose livelihood" effectively conveys the severity of the situation and the broader consequences for individuals and communities.

Common error

Don't use "lose livelihood" casually. It implies a significant loss of income and stability, so ensure the context warrants such a strong phrase. Consider using less severe alternatives like "job loss" or "reduced income" if the situation isn't as dire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose livelihood" functions as a verb phrase, typically used within a clause to describe the action of being deprived of one's means of sustenance or income. It reflects a significant economic and social impact. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lose livelihood" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to describe the deprivation of one's means of income or sustenance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its frequent use in diverse contexts, including news reports, formal documents, and scientific discussions. While the phrase is generally neutral, its implications are significant, conveying the serious consequences of economic loss. When using "lose livelihood", it's important to ensure the context warrants such a strong expression, considering alternatives like "lose job" or "reduced income" if the situation isn't as dire. Related phrases like "forfeit one's living" and "suffer economic displacement" can offer alternative ways to express this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forfeit one's living

Replaces "lose" with "forfeit", emphasizing the involuntary loss of one's means of sustenance.

be deprived of sustenance

Shifts the focus to the state of being deprived, highlighting the lack of essential resources.

be stripped of income

Emphasizes the loss of income source, directly related to financial support.

experience joblessness

Focuses on the state of being without a job or employment, leading to livelihood loss.

suffer economic displacement

Highlights the broader economic impact of losing one's livelihood.

be rendered destitute

Indicates a severe state of poverty and lack of resources as a result of losing livelihood.

face unemployment

Focuses on the condition of being unemployed and the challenge of finding new work.

encounter financial ruin

Emphasizes the severe financial consequences of livelihood loss.

undergo professional dispossession

Highlights the formal or professional aspect of losing one's means of support.

relinquish one's source of income

Replaces "lose" with "relinquish", suggesting a more voluntary surrender of income source.

FAQs

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

You can use "lose livelihood" to describe situations where people are deprived of their means of income or sustenance. For example, "The factory closure caused many workers to "lose their livelihood", leaving them in financial distress."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "lose livelihood"?

Some alternatives to "lose livelihood" include phrases like "forfeit one's living", "be deprived of sustenance", or "suffer economic displacement", depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "lost livelihood" instead of "lose livelihood"?

Yes, "lost livelihood" is grammatically correct and often used to describe a state or condition resulting from the loss of one's means of income. "Lose livelihood" is used when discussing the action or process of losing it.

What is the difference between "lose livelihood" and "lose job"?

"Lose livelihood" is broader than "lose job". Losing a job is one way to "lose a livelihood", but livelihood encompasses all means of support, including self-employment, farming, or other non-traditional income sources. Livelihood loss implies a more fundamental deprivation of resources.