lose the war

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lose the war" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to the act of being defeated in a war or military conflict. Example: Despite their best efforts, the country's army was unable to overcome the enemy forces and eventually lost the war.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Women will lose the war for America!

The New Yorker

"Drones help us lose the war.

The New York Times

It can, however, easily lose the war.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's possible to win the battle and lose the war.

The Guardian - Books

The Jalalabad Road convoy was just the kind of behavior he believes could lose the war.

The New York Times

Fourth, multilateral forces often lose the war of morale and motivation.

The New York Times

Mr McCain says he would rather lose an election than lose the war.

The Economist

"Now it is impossible for us to lose the war," he told his aides.

Encyclopedia Britannica

WASHINGTON — Excessive casualties to coalition soldiers in Afghanistan could lose the war.

The New York Times

The program's moderator, David Gregory, seemed perplexed: Lose the war on terror?

The New York Times

I'm not here to win the battle and lose the war.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lose the war" to describe situations where a long-term goal is sacrificed for short-term gains. For example: "The company won the legal battle but ultimately lost the war for public opinion."

Common error

Avoid using "lose the war" when only a minor setback has occurred. Ensure the context reflects a significant and overarching defeat, not just a temporary loss.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose the war" functions as a verb phrase that typically acts as the predicate of a sentence, expressing a state of defeat in a conflict. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lose the war" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies defeat in a significant conflict. As evidenced by Ludwig, its usage spans across diverse contexts, predominantly within news and media. To effectively employ this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a comprehensive failure and avoid using it for minor setbacks. Alternative expressions such as "suffer defeat in the war" can provide nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. By understanding its proper usage and potential pitfalls, writers can confidently incorporate "lose the war" into their vocabulary. This conclusion aligns with Ludwig AI's analysis, which confirms the phrase's correctness and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffer defeat in the war

Emphasizes the experience of being defeated during the war.

be defeated in the conflict

Focuses on being overcome in a conflict, regardless of scale.

fail to win the war

Highlights the failure to achieve victory in the war.

succumb in the war

Suggests giving in or yielding under pressure during wartime.

relinquish the war

Implies abandoning or giving up control of the war effort.

yield in the war

Focuses on conceding or surrendering during the war.

meet defeat in the war

Highlights the confrontation with and experience of defeat.

come up short in the war

Indicates falling short of the objectives needed to win the war.

fall in the war

Implies decline or ruin due to the effects of the war.

be overcome in the war

Focuses on being overpowered and defeated in the war.

FAQs

What does it mean to "lose the war"?

To "lose the war" means to be defeated in a significant conflict or long-term struggle. It implies a comprehensive failure, often despite potential smaller victories or successes.

How can I use "lose the war" in a sentence?

You can use "lose the war" to describe a situation where the overall objective is not achieved, even if some individual battles are won. For example, "They won the initial skirmishes, but ultimately "suffered defeat in the war" because they failed to secure long-term support."

Which is correct, "lose the war" or "lost the war"?

Both "lose the war" and "lost the war" are correct, but they are used in different tenses. "Lose the war" is used in the present or future tense, while "lost the war" is used in the past tense. For example, "If we don't change our strategy, we will "fail to win the war" (lose the war)" versus "They "were defeated in the conflict" (lost the war) despite initial successes."

What's the difference between winning a battle and "losing the war"?

Winning a battle refers to achieving a specific, limited objective, while "losing the war" signifies failing to achieve the overall goal or ultimate victory. You can win many battles but still "be overcome in the war" if your overarching strategy is flawed.