lost out

USAGE SUMMARY

"lost out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that people commonly use to refer to the feeling of being defeated by someone else, or when something doesn't work out as expected. For example: "We were hoping to get the job, but in the end we lost out to our competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(She lost out).

The New Yorker

All who lost out have been reimbursed.

Independent

Nigerian candidates have lost out twice before.

The Economist

The Swiss lost out again".

The New York Times

Gillingham also lost out, though.

The Guardian - Sport

Brenda Dean also lost out as General Secretary.

Independent

We lost out on that networking".

The Guardian

"We lost out," Mr. Hogg said.

The New York Times

G.M. lost out as America changed.

The New York Times

When he lost out, Huebner complained bitterly.

The New York Times

"There have been redundancies, lots of business have lost out, the tax man has lost out.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost out", ensure the context clearly indicates what was lost and to whom or what it was lost to. For example: "They lost out on the contract to a competitor."

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "lost out". The correct usage is "lost out on something" or "lost out to someone/something". Incorrect: "lost out in the deal". Correct: "lost out on the deal".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "lost out" functions as a predicate, indicating that a subject failed to achieve a desired outcome or was defeated in a competition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. For example, "He lost out on the title by three points."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lost out" is a versatile phrasal verb used to express failure to achieve a desired outcome, often in competitive situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage, primarily in News & Media. When using "lost out", it's crucial to use the correct preposition ("on" or "to") and be clear about what was lost and to whom. While alternatives like "failed to secure" or "missed the opportunity" can be used, "lost out" specifically implies a loss in a competitive context. Understanding these nuances ensures effective communication in various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to secure

Emphasizes the lack of success in obtaining something desired.

missed the opportunity

Highlights the lost chance or possibility.

were defeated

Focuses on the act of being overcome or beaten.

did not succeed

A more general term for not achieving a goal.

came up short

Implies that the effort was insufficient.

were unsuccessful

A formal way to express a lack of success.

were beaten

Focuses on the act of being overcome or beaten.

were edged out

Suggests a narrow defeat.

yielded to

Indicates that one was forced to concede.

relinquished to

Indicates that one was forced to concede.

FAQs

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

"Lost out" is used to describe a situation where someone fails to win or obtain something they were trying to get. For example, "Our team "lost out" in the final round of the competition."

What are some alternatives to saying "lost out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "failed to secure", "missed the opportunity", or "were defeated" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "lost out in" instead of "lost out on"?

The correct preposition to use with "lost out" is "on". Saying "lost out on" is generally preferred over "lost out in" when referring to missing an opportunity or a benefit. "Lost out in" might be acceptable in some contexts, but "lost out on" is more common and widely accepted.

What's the difference between "lost out" and "missed out"?

While both phrases indicate a missed opportunity, "lost out" typically implies a competitive situation where someone else succeeded. "Missed out" is broader and can refer to any missed opportunity, whether competitive or not. You "lost out" to someone, you "missed out" on something.