lost his confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost his confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone has become uncertain or insecure about their abilities or self-worth. Example: "After receiving harsh criticism from his peers, he lost his confidence and struggled to perform in front of others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

He lost his confidence".

The New York Times - Magazine

Michael Farfan has lost his confidence.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite all his misses, Fisher had not lost his confidence.

The New York Times - Sports

Although he has publicly denied it, he has seemingly lost his confidence.

The New York Times - Sports

"He lost his confidence, lost his rhythm, lost his shot," D'Antoni said.

The New York Times - Sports

Jeter has also never lost his confidence, or his ability to emphasize the positive.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Every athlete loses his confidence at times.

The New York Times - Sports

But Lewis did not lose his confidence or his poise.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite a disappointing season, he did not lose his confidence.

The New York Times - Sports

Nadal begins to lose his confidence, and with the confidence goes the serve.

The New Yorker

Afterward, Daly said he did not want to play the course again until the tournament started, adding that he would rather lose his confidence when the shots counted.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost his confidence", provide context to explain the reason behind the loss. For example, mention specific events, failures, or criticisms that contributed to the decline in self-assurance.

Common error

Avoid using "lost his confidence" in a way that suggests a permanent state. Confidence can often be regained with support, practice, or positive experiences. Instead, focus on the temporary nature of the setback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost his confidence" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change in state. It describes the action of losing self-assurance or belief in one's abilities. Ludwig examples show the phrase used in various contexts to depict this loss.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

General

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lost his confidence" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that describes a decline in someone's self-assurance. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples across various contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, particularly in sports reporting, and is considered neutral in tone. While loss of confidence can have several causes, writing should avoid implying that such a condition is permanent. Alternatives like "became insecure" or "began to doubt himself" offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffered a crisis of confidence

Emphasizes the severity and suddenness of the confidence loss.

his belief in himself faltered

Emphasizes the wavering of internal belief.

began to doubt himself

Highlights the self-doubt that arises when confidence diminishes.

he experienced self-doubt

Highlights the presence of self-doubt after a loss of confidence.

became insecure

Focuses on the emotional state of insecurity as a result of losing confidence.

his nerve failed him

Highlights the loss of courage and composure.

his self-assurance waned

Focuses on the gradual decline of self-assurance.

he became diffident

Focuses on the shyness and lack of self-belief.

he grew hesitant

Describes the behavioral manifestation of lost confidence.

he felt demoralized

Focuses on the feeling of discouragement and loss of spirit.

FAQs

What are some common reasons why someone might have "lost his confidence"?

Common reasons include experiencing repeated failures, facing harsh criticism, suffering setbacks in their career or personal life, or feeling unprepared for a challenge.

What can I say instead of "lost his confidence"?

You can use alternatives like "became insecure", "began to doubt himself", or "suffered a crisis of confidence depending on the context.

How can someone regain their confidence after they've "lost his confidence"?

Regaining confidence involves setting achievable goals, focusing on past successes, seeking support from others, practicing self-compassion, and gradually stepping outside of their comfort zone.

Is it grammatically correct to say someone has "lost his confidence"?

Yes, it's a grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase. It accurately describes a situation where someone's self-assurance has diminished.