lost footing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost footing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has lost their balance or stability, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "After the unexpected news, she felt as though she had lost her footing in the project and needed to reassess her strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In both cases, apparently, a slipped handhold or moment of lost footing was all it took.

The New York Times

But Town's attacks foundered too often on loose crosses or lost footing.

The Guardian - Sport

The story of their lost footing is also the story of something larger — the growing role that education plays in preserving class divisions.

The New York Times

The two regulators, one with the field marshall manner of a chief executive and the other a contemplative academic, lost footing with politicians as they weakly sold their plan.

Forbes

We ride the wave of initial excitement into the glide of communion or the crash of lost footing.

Huffington Post

The trio ignored warning signs by climbing a barricade to take a photo, then lost footing on the slippery granite bottom.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He has to have lost foot speed, but he certainly looks fit enough.

The New York Times - Sports

She nearly lost Foot Petals, the fast-growing shoe cushion firm she'd founded two years before, just as she landed her largest order.

Forbes

Others lost feet, hands, arms, and legs as they moved among the machinery and became caught under conveyor belts or in gears.

Wikipedia

"Maybe they're in front of a business that lost foot traffic, or a subway stop that's no longer operational," she mused.

Vice

HTC loses footing in the mobile market, corporate jet manufacturers turn to emerging markets and Japan looks underground for alternative energy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing accidents, use "lost footing" to convey a sudden and unintentional loss of balance, often leading to a fall. This phrase is more descriptive than simply saying someone "fell".

Common error

Avoid using "lost footing" in every situation where someone makes a mistake. Overusing it metaphorically can dilute its impact. Consider more precise alternatives depending on the nature of the error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost footing" functions primarily as a descriptive element, often within narrative or journalistic contexts. It describes a specific incident of losing balance or stability, as evidenced by examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lost footing" is a grammatically sound phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, used to describe a loss of balance or stability. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in news and media contexts to depict accidents or mishaps. To add variety to your writing, you could consider related phrases such as "slipped and fell" or "stumbled". Remember to use "lost footing" appropriately, avoiding overuse in metaphorical contexts where other expressions might be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slipped and fell

Focuses on the action of slipping and the resulting fall, emphasizing the physical event.

trip and fall

Focus on tripping before falling.

misstepped and tumbled

Describes a misstep leading to a fall, emphasizing the sequence of events.

stumbled and lost balance

Highlights the initial stumble and the subsequent loss of equilibrium.

become unsteady

Simple, direct way of saying balance was compromised.

lost equilibrium

Emphasizes the loss of balance, which can be physical or metaphorical.

failed to maintain grip

Highlights failure to keep grasp physically or metaphorically.

succumbed to instability

More formal, suggesting a yielding to a state of being unstable.

forfeit advantage

Shifts the focus to losing a competitive edge or a position of strength.

relinquished hold

More formal and abstract, indicating a giving up of control or possession.

FAQs

How can I use "lost footing" in a sentence?

You can use "lost footing" to describe a literal fall, such as "He "lost his footing" on the icy stairs". It can also be used metaphorically, for instance, "The company "lost its footing" in the market after the new regulations were introduced".

What's the difference between "lost footing" and "lost balance"?

"Lost footing" implies a specific instance of losing one's grip or stability while walking or standing. "Lost balance" is a more general term that can apply to various situations, not necessarily involving movement. While similar, "lost footing" is more descriptive in scenarios involving walking or climbing.

What can I say instead of "lost footing"?

You can use alternatives like "slipped and fell", "stumbled", or "lost equilibrium" depending on the specific context you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "lose footing" or "lost footing"?

"Lose footing" is the infinitive form, used in general statements or instructions (e.g., "Be careful not to lose footing"). "Lost footing" is the past tense, used to describe a specific event that has already happened (e.g., "He lost his footing and fell").