lost the test

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost the test" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone failing to pass an examination or assessment. Example: "After studying for weeks, I was devastated to find out that I lost the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The race you lost, the test you didn't pass and, in my case, the record execs who claimed, "You'll never make it in the music business".

The New York Times

Such an approach could also indicate to News International, assuming it lost the test cases, that its offers of compensation would need to be more generous if it wished to avoid further trips to the Royal Courts of Justice.

The Guardian

Cassandra admires the way that Australia are now showing signs of recovering their previous greatness (definitively lost last year when they lost the test series to England), but nonetheless I feel rather saddened by the Melbourne result.

The Economist

O'Connell's Lions lost the Test series 2-1 thethe Springboks back in 2009 and he was a major injury doubt for this summer's tour to Australia.

BBC

Australia lost the Test by 356 runs and fell to their first Test series defeat to Pakistan in two decades.

The Guardian - Sport

Wales lost the Test series 3-0 thethe Wallabies and then lost the first two games of the autumn Test series against Argentina and Samoa, before Gatland took charge for the defeats to New Zealand and Australia.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Oh, and England would have beaten Australia in 1997, when they won the ODI series 3-0 and lost the Tests 3-2: inewew money, a 14-12 win and MBEs for everyone from Mark Ealham to Phil DeFreitas.

The Guardian - Sport

The tourists lost the Tests 4 1, although Wisden suggested that the series was more competitive than suggested by the results.

Wikipedia

Customers paying penalty charges effectively subsidise those who keep a clean sheet; if banks lose the test case they may respond by imposing charges, say, for taking cash out of a machine.

The Guardian - Money

Australia made two changes to the team that lost the second test by 229 runs in Galle.

The Guardian - Sport

But without outside allies of the weight of the business interests that backed this bill, the administration lost the nuclear test treaty and faces continual difficulties in getting the money to pay back dues to the United Nations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost the test", ensure the context clearly indicates a failed assessment, not merely misplacing a physical test paper.

Common error

Avoid using "lost the test" when you mean the test was misplaced or is missing physically. Instead, say 'I can't find my test' or 'the test is missing'. "Lost the test" strictly refers to failing an assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost the test" functions as a simple declarative statement indicating failure in an assessment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English, and the examples provided show its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lost the test" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that communicates failure on an assessment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is readily understood and appears most frequently in news and media, with a slightly informal tone. While phrases like "failed the exam" are more formal, "lost the test" is acceptable in most contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates failing an assessment, not misplacing it physically. Overall, understanding its nuances helps ensure clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed the exam

Focuses specifically on a formal examination, emphasizing the failure aspect.

didn't pass the test

More informal and direct way of saying someone didn't succeed.

flunked the test

Very informal, suggesting a clear and often embarrassing failure.

performed poorly on the test

Highlights the quality of performance rather than a binary pass/fail.

did badly on the test

Similar to performing poorly, emphasizes a negative outcome.

fell short on the test

Implies not reaching the required standard or expectation.

was unsuccessful in the test

More formal, stating a lack of success.

the test resulted in failure

Shifts focus to the test's outcome rather than the person's action.

couldn't achieve a passing grade

Emphasizes the lack of a passing score.

the test was not passed

Passive voice, highlighting the test itself rather than the individual.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "lost the test"?

To say someone "lost the test" means they failed to achieve a passing grade on an exam or assessment.

Is it correct to say "lost the test", or should I use another phrase?

Yes, it is correct to say "lost the test". Alternatives include "failed the exam" or "didn't pass the test".

What's the difference between "lost the test" and "failed the test"?

While both phrases are similar, "failed the test" is slightly more formal. "Lost the test" is commonly used in everyday conversation and writing, particularly in media contexts.

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

Example: "Despite studying hard, she "didn't pass the test" and felt discouraged."