lose to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lose to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of competition or games to indicate that one party has been defeated by another. Example: "The team was disappointed to lose to their rivals in the championship match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I lose to good player.

The New York Times - Sports

Ireland lose to Argentina.

The Guardian - Sport

I would probably still lose to Karsten.

Independent

Giants lose to Cowboys, 36-31.

The New York Times

Sometimes you have to lose to win".

The New York Times

If the Irish lose to Michigan State?

The New York Times

Mets lose to Dodgers, 4-2.

The New York Times

Or did they lose to Denver?

The New York Times - Sports

Yanks lose to White Sox, 3-2.

The New York Times

Mets lose to Atlanta, 13-5.

The New York Times

It's fine to lose to someone, and galling to lose to no one.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lose to" to clearly indicate that one entity was defeated by another in a competition or contest. For example, "Our team was disappointed to lose to the reigning champions."

Common error

Avoid substituting "to" with other prepositions like "from" or "by" when indicating the opposing party. It's correct to say "lose to" and incorrect to say "lose from" or "lose by" in this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose to" functions as a verb phrase, indicating defeat in a competition or contest. Ludwig AI shows that it connects a subject (who lost) to the entity that caused the loss. It is primarily used to express the outcome of a competitive event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lose to" is a very common and grammatically correct way to express defeat in a competition. According to Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, but predominantly in news and media. When writing, remember to use "lose to" to clearly state who was defeated by whom. Be mindful to avoid substituting "to" with incorrect prepositions. By understanding its proper usage and context, you can effectively communicate the results of any competitive event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be defeated by

Focuses on the action of being overcome, emphasizing the opponent's victory.

be beaten by

Directly states the act of being outperformed, with a slightly more informal tone.

suffer a loss against

Highlights the negative experience of the defeat, framing it as a setback.

fall to

Suggests a yielding or collapse in the face of an opponent's strength.

be overcome by

Highlights the intensity of the opponent's strength and the inability to resist.

succumb to

Implies being overwhelmed or unable to resist the opposing force or challenge.

yield to

Similar to 'bow to', indicating a surrender or acceptance of defeat.

bow to

Conveys a sense of respect or inevitability in acknowledging defeat.

meet defeat against

Emphasizes the encounter with defeat, often used in a formal or narrative context.

relinquish victory to

Formally acknowledges the act of giving up or losing the chance to win.

FAQs

What does it mean to "lose to" someone?

To "lose to" someone means to be defeated by them in a competition, game, or contest. It indicates that the other party was more successful or skilled in that particular event.

Are there synonyms for "lose to"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "be defeated by", "suffer a loss against", or "fall to" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "lost at" instead of "lose to"?

No, "lost at" doesn't convey the same meaning as "lose to". You "lose to" a specific opponent or competitor. "Lost at" typically refers to losing something at a particular location or point in time.

How do I use "lose to" in a sentence?

You can use "lose to" to describe the outcome of a competitive event. For example, "The tennis player didn't want to "lose to" his rival in the final match."