lose out

USAGE SUMMARY

"lose out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to mean to be at a disadvantage or to miss out on an opportunity. For example, "John lost out on the job to his competitor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Business sources

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Does BT lose out?

The Guardian - Tech

Who would lose out?

The Guardian - Money

And wolves will lose out entirely.

The New York Times

What about those who could lose out?

Independent

This makes those who lose out angry.

The Economist

They lose out on apprenticeships.

The Guardian

The animals lose out, twice over.

The Guardian - Opinion

If Gingerbread persists, does anyone lose out?

The Guardian - Tech

They lose out in two ways.

The Guardian

How many people will lose out?

The Guardian - Money

"Time after time you'll lose out".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In economic contexts, use this phrase to highlight the groups or individuals who are negatively impacted by a policy or market shift.

Common error

Avoid the common spelling error of using 'loose out'. 'Loose' is an adjective meaning not tight, while 'lose' is the verb required here. Additionally, do not use the phrase as a direct transitive verb; saying 'they lose out the opportunity' is incorrect. It must be 'they "lose out on the opportunity"'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose out" acts as a phrasal verb that is primarily intransitive. It can be extended with the preposition "on" to form a transitive structure. According to Ludwig, it serves as a predicate that identifies the subject as the recipient of a negative or disadvantaged outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Business sources

10%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lose out" is a robust and highly versatile phrasal verb used to describe being at a disadvantage or failing to secure an advantage. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it is a staple of high-quality journalism, frequently appearing in discussions about economics, politics and social issues where outcomes are unequal. It is grammatically correct and most effective when used to highlight the specific party that suffers from a change or a competition. While it is synonymous with ""miss out"", it often carries a stronger connotation of being bested by a competitor or an external circumstance. Writers should be mindful of its phrasal structure—using it intransitively or with 'on'—and avoid common spelling errors to maintain professional clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

miss out

Focuses more on the absence of participation or enjoyment rather than the competitive disadvantage

be at a disadvantage

Provides a more formal and descriptive state rather than an action

lose ground

Specifically suggests falling behind a competitor or losing a previously held position

come off second best

Uses a more idiomatic and British-inflected way to describe failing to win

suffer a loss

Creates a more serious and formal tone, often implying a more significant setback

take a hit

Implies a sudden and often financial negative impact

get the short end of the stick

Suggests receiving an unfair or less desirable outcome in a shared situation

be left behind

Emphasizes the gap created when others advance and the subject does not

be sidelined

Suggests being removed from a position of benefit or influence

forfeit an advantage

Implies losing a benefit due to a specific error or failure to act

FAQs

How do you use "lose out" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe being at a disadvantage, such as: "If the tax changes go through, many families will "miss out" on essential benefits".

What is the difference between "lose out" and "miss out"?

While both refer to not getting something, "lose out" often implies a competitive context where someone else gains at your expense, whereas ""miss out"" is more general and can simply mean failing to experience something.

Is "lose out" formal enough for business writing?

Yes, it is widely used in professional news and business reports. For a more sophisticated tone, you might choose to use "be at a disadvantage".

Is it "lose out" or "lose out on"?

Both are correct. Use "lose out" when the sentence ends with the action (e.g., "Procrastinators usually lose out") and "lose out on" when followed by a specific object (e.g., "They lost out on the contract").