lost in transition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost in transition" is correct and is often used in written English.
It is used to mean that someone or something is having difficulty adjusting to a new situation or environment, or that a change has been difficult. For example: "The new employees were feeling lost in transition as they started their new jobs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Her characters are caught between past and future -- lost in transition.

The New York Times

"I don't want her to be lost in transition," she said.

The Washington Post

Successful athletes are inevitably displaced — if you're good, you leave home — and something is always lost in transition.

The New Yorker

Such systems can document customer needs, track the sales pipeline, and help ensure essential information is not lost in transition.

Harvard Business Review

CRM and other systems can organize key customer data and ensure no information is lost in transition.

Harvard Business Review

I imagine the journey of this beast from zoo animal into museum artifact and find it difficult to believe that its quagganess could have been lost in transition.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Do you think anything has been lost in the transition?

The New Yorker

But crucial momentum was lost in the transition.

The New York Times

A few things have been lost in this transition.

The New York Times

The paper concludes that residential architecture in Kathmandu today stands disoriented and lost in the transition.

Cities

Eventually, a response gets lost in the transition from the Clinton to Bush administration.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost in transition", ensure the context clearly identifies the specific transition being referenced. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your message.

Common error

Avoid relying on "lost in transition" as a catch-all phrase. While useful, overuse can dilute its impact. Seek specific language to describe the challenges of the transition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost in transition" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, often used to modify a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of confusion or disorientation during a period of change. Ludwig provides several examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost in transition" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the feeling of disorientation or difficulty adjusting to a new situation. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and provides various examples. It's frequently used in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, indicating its versatility. While the phrase is useful, it's important to use it judiciously and ensure that the context clearly defines the transition being discussed. Alternatives like "adrift in change" or "struggling with change" can be used for variety. As Ludwig's data shows, many authoritative sources employ this phrase, underscoring its acceptance in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adrift in change

Focuses on the feeling of being without direction during a period of change, emphasizing a lack of control.

disoriented during transformation

Highlights the confusion and lack of bearings experienced during a significant shift or change.

struggling with change

Emphasizes the difficulty and effort involved in adapting to new circumstances.

grappling with transformation

Indicates a more active and intense effort to understand and manage a period of change.

navigating uncertainty

Focuses on the act of trying to find a path forward in a situation where the future is unclear.

in a state of flux

Describes a situation that is constantly changing and unstable, leading to a feeling of being lost.

undergoing upheaval

Highlights the disruptive and transformative nature of the changes being experienced.

experiencing a shift

Focuses on the change itself, without necessarily implying a negative experience, though disorientation is implied.

undergoing a metamorphosis

Suggests a profound and fundamental change, often implying a challenging transition.

caught between stages

Emphasizes the feeling of being stuck or not fully belonging to either the old or the new situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "lost in transition" to describe a feeling of disorientation or difficulty adjusting to a new situation, like "The new employees were feeling "lost in transition" during their first week".

What are some alternatives to saying "lost in transition"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "adrift in change", "struggling with change", or "navigating uncertainty" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "lost in transition"?

Yes, "lost in transition" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its use in reputable sources.

What does it mean to be "lost in transition"?

To be "lost in transition" means to feel disoriented, confused, or struggling to adapt during a period of change or shift from one state to another.