lose traction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lose traction" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is becoming less popular, relevant, successful, or influential. For example, "The company has been losing traction in the market over the last few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

As a result, the vehicle accelerates swiftly, only to lose traction and spin out of control.

The New Yorker

If our domestic resolve is seen to be weakening, we will lose traction elsewhere".

The Guardian

Certainly, Europe would lose traction as a badly needed counterweight to the US in world economic policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Mark E. Robinson, who worked with Mr. Baker in the Weld administration and remains an avid supporter, predicted Mr. Cahill would lose traction in the coming weeks.

The New York Times

Every once in a while in Forza, you may see a hard-charging car in your rear-view mirror suddenly lose traction, granting you some breathing room.

The New York Times

After two rain delays, Stewart chose to remain low on the banked oval, trusting that his tires wouldn't lose traction, while other drivers sought out higher, drier ground.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

But they lost traction.

The New York Times

It's losing traction among workers.

The New York Times

Now, it appears as if he has lost traction.

The New York Times - Sports

Catholicism has lost traction in many parts of the world.

The New York Times

"They feel the bike getting and losing traction.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lose traction" to describe situations where something is becoming less effective or popular. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is losing its effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "lose traction" when describing a complete and sudden failure. The phrase implies a gradual decline, not an abrupt stop.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose traction" functions as a verb phrase, often used with a subject to describe the process of something declining in effectiveness, popularity, or relevance. Ludwig examples confirm this, showing its use in describing vehicles losing grip or ideas/campaigns losing support. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

23%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lose traction" is a versatile phrase used to depict a decline in effectiveness, popularity, or progress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The examples in Ludwig show that it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, reflecting its utility in analyzing trends and explaining shifts in various domains. While the phrase is relatively straightforward, it's important to use it in situations where a gradual decline is evident, rather than a sudden stop. Alternative phrases such as "lose momentum" or "decline in influence" can provide slightly different nuances, enhancing the precision of your writing. The phrase is versatile and is suitable for use in neutral register across a multitude of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose momentum

Focuses on the loss of impetus or forward drive.

lose ground

Emphasizes a retreat or a reduction in advantage.

falter in momentum

Suggests a loss of the driving force or energy behind something.

decline in influence

Focuses on a reduction in the power to affect something.

weaken in impact

Highlights a reduction in the effect or influence something has.

diminish in popularity

Emphasizes a reduction in how well-liked something is.

stagnate in progress

Indicates a halt or slowing down of forward movement.

ebb in strength

Suggests a gradual decline in power or intensity.

fall behind

Highlights a failure to keep up with others or a standard.

peter out

Indicates a gradual decline to nothing.

FAQs

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

You can use "lose traction" to describe something that is becoming less popular, relevant, or effective. For example, "The political campaign started to "lose traction" after the scandal broke".

What are some alternatives to "lose traction"?

Some alternatives to "lose traction" include "lose momentum", "decline in influence", or "fall behind", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is "losing traction"?

Yes, "losing traction" is the present continuous tense of the phrase and is grammatically correct. For example, "The project is "losing traction" due to lack of funding".

What's the difference between "lose traction" and "lose momentum"?

"Lose traction" implies a slipping or failing to maintain progress, while "lose momentum" refers more specifically to a decrease in forward drive or energy. While similar, "lose traction" often refers to a broader decrease in effectiveness, while "lose momentum" is a specific instance of reduced forward movement.