lost the scent

USAGE SUMMARY

"lost the scent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to suggest that a person or group has stopped following or pursuing something. For example, "We were close to uncovering the mystery, but we lost the scent when the main suspect left the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The hounds lost the scent and there was a check.

The New Yorker

The hounds lost the scent, the baying ceased, the fox grinned and strolled on by.

The New York Times - Magazine

If the ants turned away too quickly from oncoming insects, they lost the scent of their trail.

The New York Times - Science

Linus lost the scent until a year later at a summer phage meeting outside of Paris, where he first learned of the work recently completed at Cold Spring Harbor by Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase, showing that phages were also made from DNA.

MIT Technology Review

The original course was five miles long, with numerous jumps and two compulsory checkpoints where riders had to stop and hold for 15 minutes, mimicking the "checking" of hounds that have lost the scent of a fox and need to be recast to find a new one.

The New York Times

The hunt lost the scent of a fox right in the middle of the Parkway, and as they were trying to get the hounds off the pavement, along came Jasper McLevy, Bridgeport's Mayor, at the head of an automobile cavalcade on its way to the opening ceremonies.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Yet the D.O.I. managed to lose the scent.

The New York Times

If the dog loses the scent on older trails, the handler helps out, looking for footprints or flattened grass.

The Guardian

On Tuesday, police dogs trailed a scent from Mr. Palmer's abandoned pickup truck to an area of the park known as the Irish Potato Trail before losing the scent.

The New York Times

The cinnamon and orange is potent without being overpowering, and although the larger sizes are pricey, they really will last for more than one year without losing the scent.

Independent

Unfortunately for Torriti, Philby is lunching regularly in Washington with his old wartime chum James Jesus Angleton, now chief of counterintelligence at the Company -- and seeing to it that Angleton loses the scent whenever he comes too close to it.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lost the scent" when describing a situation where a literal or figurative trail has become unclear or impossible to follow.

Common error

Avoid using "lost the scent" when you simply mean to say something was forgotten or misplaced. The phrase implies a sense of pursuit or tracking that is absent in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost the scent" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often part of a larger predicate. It describes a state of having failed to maintain a connection with or direction towards something previously being pursued. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable English expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lost the scent" is a grammatically sound idiom that means to have failed to follow a trail or maintain progress in a pursuit or investigation. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. While "Very Common" in the News & Media, the phrase can also be found in Wiki and Scientific contexts. When writing, it's best to use it when referring to a literal tracking situation or a figurative search for something, as misuse can easily confuse the reader. Alternatives include "lost the trail" or "lost the track". As Ludwig's analysis indicates, this phrase offers a nuanced way to describe setbacks in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lost the trail

This alternative suggests a literal or figurative path was no longer followed.

lost the track

Similar to "lost the trail", indicating a failure to keep up with something or someone.

lost the thread

Indicates losing the central idea or argument in a discussion or narrative.

went off track

Implies deviating from an intended course or plan.

got sidetracked

Suggests being diverted from the main objective by something else.

lost my way

Indicates losing direction, either physically or metaphorically.

failed to follow through

Emphasizes a lack of completion after an initial effort or start.

abandoned the pursuit

Highlights the act of giving up on a chase or investigation.

gave up the chase

Similar to "abandoned the pursuit", but with a more active sense of pursuit.

missed the mark

Implies a failure to achieve a goal or target.

FAQs

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

You can use "lost the scent" to describe situations where a literal trail is no longer detectable, or figuratively, when progress on a project or investigation stalls. For example, "The dogs "lost the scent" near the river" or "The investigators "lost the scent" when the key witness disappeared".

What does "lost the scent" mean?

"Lost the scent" means that the trail or direction being followed is no longer detectable, either literally, as in tracking an animal, or figuratively, as in pursuing an investigation or idea. It implies a failure to maintain progress due to a lack of clear direction.

What can I say instead of "lost the scent"?

You can use alternatives like "lost the trail", "lost the track", or "lost the thread" depending on the context.

Is "lost the scent" an idiom?

Yes, "lost the scent" is considered an idiom. While it can refer to a literal loss of a scent in tracking, it's often used figuratively to describe losing track of an idea, investigation, or goal.