lost the smell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost the smell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has lost its scent or aroma, often in a metaphorical sense to indicate a loss of interest or appeal. Example: "After years of working in the same job, I feel like I've lost the smell of excitement that I once had."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We have lost the smell of incense.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The car's owners were glad to lose the smell, though embarrassed "that they spent $10 on shrimp and didn't miss them," Mr. Berger said.

The New York Times - Travel

It takes oil a while to dry and years to completely lose the smell of oil.

WikiHow

After thirty-five generations, Belyaev found, the tame foxes had a much higher than normal percentage of floppy ears and short or curly tails, and had lost the musky smell of their wild brethren.

The New Yorker

(very good, good, poor and very poor) and sixth, have you ever lost the sense of smell?

BMJ Open

He dwells on some of these lost sensations: the smell of grass "when you are sitting on a soccer field one summer afternoon after training, the long shadows of motionless trees, the screams and laughter of children swimming in the lake on the other side of the road," the salt in your mouth when you swim, the rocks you climbed as a kid, the taste of a particular energy drink.

The New Yorker

BEHIND THE NEWS The Food and Drug Administration said it had received 130 reports of people losing the sense of smell after using one of Zicam's nasal products.

The New York Times

After a couple of hours, I lose the will to smell any more, and, after saying goodbye to a defeated Philippa, I sit chatting to Alex, who I'd met earlier in the evening.

Independent

After 20 years, the poop had lost its smell, but the researchers wore respirators just in case some pathogen was hanging around.

Science Magazine

At first, we'd lose the lead dog to the smell of home if we rode too long.

The New Yorker

"It'll take me two nights to lose this smell from my nose," Harms told RTL7L, a Dutch TV station.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific scent that has disappeared, consider using more descriptive words than just "smell", such as "aroma", "fragrance", or "odor", to add nuance and detail to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "lost the smell" when you actually mean "lost the sense of smell". The former implies a specific odor is no longer present, while the latter means the ability to perceive odors is gone. The correct one depends on if you're talking about an object or the ability to smell.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost the smell" typically functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the state of an object or environment where a particular odor is no longer detectable. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lost the smell" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression indicating the absence of a particular odor. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. It appears most frequently in News & Media, and Science, with a neutral register that makes it suitable for various contexts. While generally straightforward, it's essential to distinguish its meaning from "lost the sense of smell", which refers to the inability to perceive odors. Consider using alternative phrases like "the aroma has faded" or "the scent is no longer detectable" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lost sense of smell

Focuses on the general sensory experience of smelling.

sense of smell is gone

Directly states the absence of the ability to detect odors.

no longer smell

Emphasizes the change from being able to smell to the inability to do so.

can't smell anything

Focuses on the inability to perceive any odors, highlighting the absence of olfactory sensation.

unable to detect any odor

Highlights the inability to perceive any scents.

the odor is undetectable

Emphasizes that the scent cannot be perceived.

the aroma has faded

Describes the disappearance of a specific pleasant smell.

can't pick up any scent

Describes the difficulty in perceiving the scent.

the scent has dissipated

Similar to 'faded' but emphasizes the dispersal of a scent.

the fragrance is gone

Specifically refers to the disappearance of a pleasant smell.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "lost the smell" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you can use phrases like "the aroma has dissipated" or "the scent is no longer detectable" depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey. If it's about losing the ability to smell use: "lost sense of smell".

What's the difference between "lost the smell" and "lost the scent"?

While both phrases are similar, "lost the smell" generally refers to a more general or unpleasant odor, while "lost the scent" often implies a more delicate or pleasant fragrance. The best option depends on the context.

Is it correct to say "I lost the smell of [something]"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It means that you can no longer detect the odor of that specific thing. For example, "I lost the smell of the perfume after being exposed to it for too long."

What does it mean to say someone "lost the smell" in a metaphorical sense?

Metaphorically, "lost the smell" can mean that someone has lost interest in something or that something has lost its appeal. For example, "After years of working in the same job, I feel like I've lost the smell of excitement that I once had."