lost in the way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost in the way" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used to describe someone who is confused or disoriented in a situation, but it is not a common expression. Example: "After wandering through the unfamiliar city for hours, I felt completely lost in the way."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

And because they don't, they never know what they've lost in the way of ideas and initiatives.

Harvard Business Review

Deschamps believes Pogba's best personal qualities sometimes get lost in the way he presents himself with his big social media presence and extrovert public personality.

The Guardian - Sport

I would spend two days wandering those back alleys, getting lost in the way that one only can in an old European city.

The New York Times

It should be possible both to acknowledge that something real was lost in the way my baby was born and to know that this loss is finite; there is not one pure route to authentic motherhood.

The New York Times - Magazine

Our operations task force had its hands full especially when we decided that we should aim not simply to repair but to improve what we'd lost in the way of systems, property, and data.

Harvard Business Review

The pity of it was that the subtlety of the clothes was lost in the way that the brand chooses to show, in an utter confusion of static models among some weedy ferns and paparazzi chasing Sarah Jessica Parker, who is associated with the Halston Heritage line.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

We played really well against Argentina and to lose in the way we did was heartbreaking.

Independent

"When you lose in the way we lost, I want to change all the things: the 11 starters, the substitutes," Pellegrini admitted.

The Guardian - Sport

Another study (Francis et al.2008) found that CEOs with good reputations are less likely to manage earnings, because they often have more to lose in the way of compensation, career opportunities and the like.

Columbia University

What happened to cause us to lose in the way we did, and by this score?" Rummenigge, a Bayern star during the 1970s and 1980s, then addressed the Champions League final against Chelsea on Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

They've never lost in the same way, but they've always lost in the same way: six months of greatness dissolved by a week of madness.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost in the way", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being lost, whether it's an idea, a direction, or a quality. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "lost in the way" in overly abstract or vague contexts. Instead, specify what concrete element or aspect is being "lost" to enhance comprehensibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost in the way" functions as a qualifier, often describing how something valuable is unintentionally sacrificed or overlooked during a process or journey. This is observed across examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost in the way" describes something valuable unintentionally sacrificed during a process. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically acceptable but not particularly common. Primarily found in news and academic contexts, this phrase conveys a sense of regret or highlights inefficiencies. When writing, ensure to use this phrase with enough details in order to avoid being too ambiguous. Consider alternative phrasing such as "confused along the path" to specify the confusion in a more clear manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confused along the path

Focuses on the state of confusion while progressing.

disoriented in the journey

Highlights the feeling of disorientation during a process.

misguided in the process

Emphasizes the incorrect guidance leading to being lost.

astray during the course

Implies deviation from the correct route or method.

muddled in the method

Stresses the confusion within a specific method or procedure.

befuddled in the approach

Highlights a state of bewilderment in one's method.

sidetracked during the venture

Indicates being diverted from the original objective.

waylaid in the endeavor

Suggests an interruption or obstruction during an effort.

strayed from the route

Focuses on deviating from a planned or expected course.

diverted from the direction

Emphasizes a change in course or purpose.

FAQs

What does "lost in the way" mean?

The phrase "lost in the way" generally means that something valuable has been unintentionally sacrificed or overlooked during a process. Consider using "confused along the path" as an alternative if you want to specify the confusion in a more clear manner.

How can I use "lost in the way" in a sentence?

You can use "lost in the way" to describe something that was unintentionally sacrificed during a process. For example: "Important details were lost in the way due to poor communication".

What are some alternatives to "lost in the way"?

Some alternatives to "lost in the way" include "disoriented in the journey", "misguided in the process", or "astray during the course", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "lost in the way" grammatically correct?

While not a standard idiomatic expression, "lost in the way" is grammatically acceptable. However, it's essential to ensure clarity and context for effective communication. You can consider other options like "sidetracked during the venture" for higher impact.