lost heart

USAGE SUMMARY

"lost heart" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe someone who has lost their motivation or hope. For example, "After her parents' divorce, she lost heart and stopped believing in true love."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

As his friends noticed, he had lost heart for revelry.

The New Yorker

At a certain point, however, he lost heart.

The New Yorker

He got short too soon and lost heart.

The New Yorker

The more Yahoo resisted, the more he lost heart.

The New York Times

They seem to have lost heart since Italy's second goal.

The Guardian - Sport

Achilles whipped Hector and the Mets lost heart.

The New York Times - Sports

On the flank of Skiddaw, looking up at the great grey mountain, he suddenly lost heart.

The Economist

Like so many American acts, The Journeymen lost heart after The Beatles' overwhelming success in 1964.

Independent

But the nearby Science Park, where bigger firms live, never lost heart.

The Economist

The National Union in Johannesburg lost heart and decided not to act.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But can men really recover lost heart function after a lifetime of inactivity and poor diet?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lost heart" to convey a sense of diminished hope or courage in situations where someone was previously optimistic or determined. It's effective in narratives where characters face setbacks.

Common error

While "lost heart" is an idiom, avoid using it in contexts that might be literally interpreted as a medical condition or physical ailment. Ensure the context clearly indicates a loss of morale or motivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost heart" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as the past tense of the idiom 'to lose heart'. It describes a state where someone has become discouraged or has lost their enthusiasm or hope, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost heart" is a common idiom used to describe a decline in motivation, courage, or hope. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. Analysis reveals its prevalence in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. Related phrases include "became discouraged" and "gave up hope", each carrying subtle differences in meaning. When using "lost heart", ensure the context avoids literal misinterpretations and clearly conveys a decline in morale. Its frequent use in authoritative sources underscores its acceptance in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became discouraged

Shifts focus to the emotional state of being disheartened.

gave up hope

Emphasizes the abandonment of optimism.

lost motivation

Highlights the absence of drive or incentive.

despaired

Implies a deeper sense of hopelessness.

became pessimistic

Focuses on adopting a negative outlook.

abandoned the effort

Highlights the cessation of trying.

relinquished conviction

Emphasizes the yielding of a strong belief.

succumbed to dejection

Indicates a submission to a state of sadness.

flagged in spirit

Suggests a weakening of enthusiasm or energy.

took a chill

Suggests the enthusiasm declined.

FAQs

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

You can use "lost heart" to describe a decline in motivation or courage, as in "After the repeated failures, he "lost heart" and stopped trying".

What are some alternatives to "lost heart"?

Some alternatives to "lost heart" include "became discouraged", "gave up hope", or "lost motivation", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

"Lose heart" is the infinitive form, while "lost heart" is the past tense. Use "lose heart" when describing a potential future event and "lost heart" when discussing a past event.

What's the difference between "lost heart" and "gave up"?

"Lost heart" implies a decline in morale or motivation, while "gave up" suggests a complete cessation of effort. "Lost heart" often precedes giving up, indicating an initial decline in spirit.