lose race

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lose race" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of not winning a competition or contest, particularly in the context of running or racing. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team had to accept that they would lose the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's the way you lose races.

The New York Times

We can't lose races because of money".

Huffington Post

The Republican Party cannot lose races like that and still expect to retake the majority.

Huffington Post

Rp1 haplotypes derived from unequal crossing-over, including in the LRR domain, have been found to lose race-specific resistance (reviewed in (Hulbert et al. 2001).

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

"It's like finding my lost race.

Independent

After losing race after race, the Americans looked all but defeated, when Spithill, 34, made two event-changing moves.

The New York Times

But sailing is a momentum game, and the Kiwis appeared in danger of losing it after nearly capsizing Saturday and losing Race 8 to Oracle, and then losing Race 9 on Sunday without ever getting into the lead.

The New York Times - Sports

Seriously: the AP knows it's in a losing race.

TechCrunch

Big Republican donors do not want to waste their money on another losing race.

Huffington Post

Correct: "I think Bob is about to lose the race" -- a lost race makes sense.

WikiHow

I started losing races, which was something I never did.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a specific event, clarify the type of race (e.g., election, sporting event, technological competition) for better context and clarity.

Common error

Ensure you're using "lose" (to suffer a loss) and not "loose" (not firmly or tightly fixed in place). "Lose race" refers to not winning a competition, while "loose race" is grammatically incorrect and nonsensical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose race" functions as a verb phrase, where "lose" acts as the verb and "race" as the direct object. Ludwig confirms its use in expressing the failure to win a competition or contest.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lose race" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys the concept of not winning a competition or contest. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is common across diverse sources, with a strong presence in news and media. When using "lose race", be sure to differentiate it from "loose", and clarify the specific context of the race. Alternative phrases like "not win the race" or "be defeated in a race" can provide variety. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of "lose race" allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not win the race

This is a straightforward negation of winning, emphasizing the lack of victory.

be defeated in a race

This alternative directly replaces "lose" with "be defeated", maintaining a similar level of formality and directness.

be unable to win

Focuses on inability rather than the act of losing.

suffer defeat in the race

This alternative emphasizes the negative experience of losing, adding a sense of adversity.

fail to secure victory

This is a more formal and elaborate way of saying "lose", suitable for professional contexts.

come in last place

This specifies the outcome of the race as the worst possible result, highlighting the finality of the loss.

miss out on victory

Highlights being close to winning but ultimately failing.

fall behind in the race

This implies a loss of position or momentum rather than outright defeat, focusing on the process of losing.

be outrun in the race

This specifies that someone lost because they were faster, more agile, etc.

relinquish the lead

This applies when someone was previously winning, then "lose race".

FAQs

What does it mean to "lose race"?

To "lose race" means to not win a competition, contest, or election. It implies failing to achieve victory in a specific event.

What can I say instead of "lose race"?

You can use alternatives like "not win the race", "come in last place", or "be defeated in a race" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "lost race"?

Yes, "lost race" is the past tense form, indicating that the race has already been lost. For example, "The candidate lost the race by a narrow margin".

How does the meaning of "lose race" change in different contexts?

The core meaning remains consistent (failing to win), but the specific implications vary. In a political context, it means failing to win an election; in sports, it means not winning a competition; and in a business context, it could mean falling behind competitors in innovation or market share.