lost idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a concept or thought that has been forgotten or is no longer accessible. Example: "During the brainstorming session, I had a brilliant thought, but it quickly turned into a lost idea as I struggled to articulate it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The reason I veered on to the topic of CGI is because Audiard is particularly attached to a now largely lost idea of cinema directly showing us the real: the example he gave me, when we last discussed it, was the sight of Katharine Hepburn manifestly shedding actual tears in The African Queen.

The Guardian - Film

And as Times Square is in so many ways the incarnation of urban life itself, so nostalgia for Times Square is nostalgia for a lost idea of urbanness, or of urbanity -- for a time, before the advent of television and the suburbs, and before riots and drug wars, when everyone knew that city life was the best life of all.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When working at a sector skills council I also experienced the reluctance of a number of key players to share information precisely for the reason other posters have identified – losing ideas, market position and so on.

The Guardian

But politicians who talk up "libertarian populism" or "opportunity conservatism" or the "Rawlsian lens" and then end by calling for a Balanced Budget Amendment, hard money and a flat tax aren't actually reforming the Republican Party; they're just wrapping losing ideas in slightly smarter rhetoric than poor Mitt Romney was ever able to come up with.

The New York Times

At the end of each phase, all the Watts invested in the losing ideas are redistributed proportionately to the investors in the winning idea.

TechCrunch

"Eventually I lost the idea that I could have a career," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

We lost the idea of the Sabbath as a day of rest long ago.

The New York Times - Health

The trouble was he never quite lost that idea - a characteristic Jarman film such as The Tempest exists in a mood of raucous, cheerful camp.

The Guardian - Books

Double Bind is enormously engaging, beguiling and generous, in that it is a vast work in which the artist never lost his idea of privileging the individual spectator.

The Guardian

"We bought it from a Paris family that had had it for generations, but lost the idea of what it was," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

I can only assume Bailey lost all idea of whereabouts he was as he didn't even try and get his foot back over the line.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost idea", consider the context carefully to ensure it clearly communicates the sense of something forgotten, abandoned, or no longer relevant. Alternatives like "forgotten concept" might be more appropriate depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "lost idea" interchangeably with phrases like 'bad idea' or 'unpopular idea'. "Lost idea" specifically refers to an idea that was once present but is now gone or forgotten, not necessarily one that is inherently flawed or disliked.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost idea" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'lost' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'idea'. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that it is used to describe a concept or thought that is no longer remembered, accessible, or relevant.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost idea" effectively conveys the notion of a concept or thought that has been forgotten, abandoned, or is no longer relevant. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its frequency is uncommon, appearing primarily in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When using "lost idea", it's important to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, as alternatives such as "forgotten concept" or "abandoned notion" might be more precise. Avoid confusing it with phrases like 'bad idea', which carries a different meaning. In summary, while grammatically sound and understandable, the phrase's usage should be deliberate to accurately represent the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forgotten concept

Emphasizes the aspect of being forgotten or no longer remembered.

unremembered idea

Highlights that the idea is not recalled or brought to mind.

abandoned notion

Focuses on the act of deliberately giving up or rejecting an idea.

discarded thought

Highlights the idea being considered and then rejected as not useful.

receded concept

Suggests the idea has faded or diminished in importance or relevance.

vanished idea

Implies the idea has disappeared completely, often unexpectedly.

eclipsed concept

Signifies that the idea has been overshadowed by something more prominent.

obsolete concept

Indicates the idea is outdated and no longer applicable or useful.

outmoded thought

Similar to 'obsolete concept', but emphasizes the idea is no longer fashionable or current.

bygone notion

Implies that the idea belongs to the past and is no longer relevant in the present.

FAQs

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

You can use "lost idea" to describe a concept that has been forgotten or is no longer considered, such as, "The project suffered when the original vision became a "lost idea"".

What is a semantically similar substitute for "lost idea"?

Alternatives to "lost idea" include "forgotten concept", "abandoned notion", or "discarded thought", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is "lost idea" the same as "bad idea"?

No, "lost idea" refers to an idea that has been forgotten or abandoned, while "bad idea" describes a concept that is fundamentally flawed or unwise. They are not interchangeable.

Can "lost idea" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "lost idea" is appropriate for formal writing. However, consider the context and choose the most precise synonym if necessary for clarity and impact. For instance, "receded concept" might be a better fit in some academic contexts.