loses the scent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "loses the scent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something is unable to follow a trail or detect a smell, often in relation to animals like dogs or in metaphorical situations. Example: "The hound lost the scent after the rain washed away the trail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Unfortunately for Torriti, Philby is lunching regularly in Washington with his old wartime chum James Jesus Angleton, now chief of counterintelligence at the Company -- and seeing to it that Angleton loses the scent whenever he comes too close to it.

The New York Times - Books

Weaving together these conversations (and many with the Dalai Lama's brother, Ngari Rinpoche, and other Tibetans), along with vast research, Iyer has written an original exploration that occasionally loses the scent and wanders off trail, but largely delivers a trenchant, impassioned look at a singular life.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The hounds lost the scent and there was a check.

The New Yorker

The hounds lost the scent, the baying ceased, the fox grinned and strolled on by.

The New York Times - Magazine

If the ants turned away too quickly from oncoming insects, they lost the scent of their trail.

The New York Times - Science

On Tuesday, police dogs trailed a scent from Mr. Palmer's abandoned pickup truck to an area of the park known as the Irish Potato Trail before losing the scent.

The New York Times

The cinnamon and orange is potent without being overpowering, and although the larger sizes are pricey, they really will last for more than one year without losing the scent.

Independent

The hunt lost the scent of a fox right in the middle of the Parkway, and as they were trying to get the hounds off the pavement, along came Jasper McLevy, Bridgeport's Mayor, at the head of an automobile cavalcade on its way to the opening ceremonies.

The New Yorker

The original course was five miles long, with numerous jumps and two compulsory checkpoints where riders had to stop and hold for 15 minutes, mimicking the "checking" of hounds that have lost the scent of a fox and need to be recast to find a new one.

The New York Times

Fly larvae act as stochastic problem-solving machines, turning whenever they lose the scent, and ultimately arriving at its source.

eLife

The shells will gradually lose the scent over several weeks.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "loses the scent" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly establishes what the 'scent' represents to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "the investigation loses the scent" is clearer if the object of investigation is previously defined.

Common error

Avoid using "loses the scent" in contexts where a literal scent is impossible. For example, saying "the argument loses the scent" is inappropriate unless the argument is somehow related to tracking or detection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "loses the scent" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the inability to follow a literal or metaphorical trail based on smell or other sensory information. As Ludwig AI highlights, it correctly conveys a loss of direction or detection.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

35%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "loses the scent" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes the inability to follow a trail, literally or metaphorically. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it’s generally used correctly and can be found across various sources, most commonly in News & Media. It’s important to use it appropriately, ensuring the context is fitting for its metaphorical implications. Remember to avoid using it in situations where a 'scent' is impossible and prefer alternatives like "loses the trail" or "gets sidetracked" depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

loses the trail

This alternative focuses on the physical path being followed rather than the olfactory aspect.

the trail goes cold

Indicates that the trail is no longer fresh or easy to follow.

can't follow the scent

Emphasizes the inability to continue tracking due to the scent disappearing.

cannot pick up the scent

Highlights the initial failure to perceive the smell.

is unable to detect the odor

Highlights the failure in perceiving the smell.

is off the scent

Indicates a state of no longer pursuing the correct sensory information.

loses the aroma

This alternative works well when referring to things like food or perfumes.

the scent disappears

Focuses on the scent itself vanishing rather than the tracker's inability.

gets sidetracked

Focuses on being diverted from the original course or pursuit.

loses track

A more general phrase indicating a failure to maintain awareness of something.

FAQs

How can I use "loses the scent" in a sentence?

You can use "loses the scent" in sentences like: "The dog "loses the scent" when it rains", or "The investigation "loses the scent" as the evidence dries up".

What can I say instead of "loses the scent"?

You can use alternatives like "loses the trail", "cannot detect the odor", or "gets sidetracked" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "lost the scent" or should I use another tense?

Both "loses the scent" (present tense) and "lost the scent" (past tense) are correct, depending on whether you are describing a current or past situation. Other tenses like "will lose the scent" are also valid.

What's the difference between ""loses the scent"" and "loses track"?

"Loses the scent" specifically implies an inability to follow a smell or metaphorical trail. "Loses track" is more general, referring to a failure to maintain awareness of something, not necessarily related to smell.