lost to weather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost to weather" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been damaged, destroyed, or otherwise affected by weather conditions. Example: "The old barn was lost to weather after years of neglect and harsh storms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It was the first time in 15 years that a round in the event was lost to weather.

The New York Times - Sports

With a day and most of a session lost to weather, it underlines how poorly England have played.

BBC

These factors often led to more people being assigned to a job than there was work to do in an attempt to make up time lost to weather delays.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In Dunedin, where a day was lost to the weather, it is likely New Zealand would have won, while in Wellington, the dreadful weather probably prevented England from doing likewise.

The Guardian - Sport

It has not been lost to the weather since then.

The Guardian - Sport

Local officials said they had to make up for days lost to bad weather, a decision that produced an outcry from prominent figures, including the Rev. Al Sharpton.

The New York Times

Given that more than half the scheduled playing time was lost to the weather, a draw was always the likeliest outcome here.

Independent

Second, where overs are lost to the weather earlier in the game, as happened at The Oval, the following days' play should start earlier, at 10am.

The Economist

It was brought about by an anomaly in the new International Cricket Council ruling that legislates for time to be made up if play is lost to inclement weather.

The Guardian - Sport

The company could ill afford the $75,000 required to replace these assets or the cost of replacing the horses lost to the weather during the awful winter of 1860 61.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The second Test match that had seemed all but dead and buried with 72 overs lost to the weather came alive during the final afternoon, as the sun blazed down.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lost to weather" to clearly and concisely indicate that something was negatively affected or made impossible due to weather conditions. This phrase is most effective when the weather is the direct and primary cause of the loss or cancellation.

Common error

Avoid using "lost to weather" in situations where the weather is not the direct cause of the problem. For example, it would be incorrect to say "the company's profits were lost to weather" if the profits were affected by a complex mix of economic factors and only indirectly influenced by weather-related disruptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost to weather" primarily functions as a post-modifier, specifically a prepositional phrase modifying a noun. It describes the reason for something being lost or canceled. As Ludwig AI states, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lost to weather" is a concise and grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations where something is negatively affected or canceled due to adverse weather conditions. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it is crucial to use the phrase in appropriate contexts, specifically when weather is the direct cause of the problem. Alternatives like "canceled due to weather" or "affected by weather" may be more suitable in certain situations. Although the phrase is not exceptionally frequent, its meaning is clear and its usage is generally neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ruined by weather

Implies complete destruction or spoilage as a result of weather.

impacted by weather conditions

Similar to 'affected by weather', but emphasizes the specific circumstances of weather conditions.

adversely affected by weather

Similar to 'affected by weather', but adds the negative connotation that is a bad impact from the weather.

affected by weather

General term; broader than "lost to weather", simply indicating an impact from weather, not necessarily a loss.

damaged by the elements

Similar to 'affected by weather', but specifically refers to fundamental natural forces.

canceled due to weather

Specifically refers to events or activities being called off because of unsuitable weather.

spoiled by weather

Used when weather causes something, especially food or crops, to go bad.

weather-related cancellation

A noun phrase indicating a cancellation caused by weather.

weathered away

Describes the gradual erosion or disintegration of something due to weather exposure.

succumbed to the elements

More poetic and general term for something being overcome by harsh weather.

FAQs

How can I use "lost to weather" in a sentence?

You can use "lost to weather" to describe events, games, or even materials that have been canceled or damaged because of bad weather conditions. For instance, "The baseball game was "lost to weather"" or "Much of the harvest was "lost to weather" this year".

What are some alternatives to saying "lost to weather"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "canceled due to weather", "affected by weather", or "ruined by weather". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the game was lost because of weather" instead of "the game was lost to weather"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but ""lost to weather"" is more concise and idiomatic in certain contexts, particularly when discussing events or activities. "Lost because of weather" is more general.

Can "lost to weather" be used for abstract losses, or only physical ones?

"Lost to weather" is generally used for concrete losses, such as canceled events or damaged goods. For abstract losses, it's better to use more appropriate phrases like "impacted by weather conditions" or "affected by external factors".