not lost on

USAGE SUMMARY

"not lost on" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone appreciates or understands something. For example, "The irony of his speech was not lost on the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is not lost on students.

Huffington Post

That's certainly not lost on me.

The New York Times

The irony was not lost on them.

The New York Times

This is not lost on the voters.

The Economist

This was not lost on Spikes.

The New York Times - Sports

"That is not lost on us.

The New York Times

The similarities are not lost on bloggers.

The New York Times

It is not lost on Hossa.

The New York Times - Sports

This is not lost on Mr. Harman.

The New York Times

The lesson is not lost on Raff.

The New York Times - Books

The lesson was not lost on him.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not lost on", ensure the subject is a person or group capable of understanding and that the object is a concept, situation, or fact.

Common error

Avoid using "not lost on" with inanimate subjects or abstract concepts that cannot possess understanding or awareness. For example, it's better to say "The significance of the event was understood by the organizers" rather than "The significance of the event was not lost on the event itself".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not lost on" functions as an idiomatic expression to indicate that someone is aware of, understands, and appreciates the significance of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not lost on" is a common idiom used to express that someone understands and appreciates the significance of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media contexts. While alternatives like "understood by" or "appreciated by" exist, they may lack the specific nuance of subtle understanding conveyed by the original phrase. When using "not lost on", ensure that the subject is capable of understanding, and the object is a concept or situation. Avoiding its application to inanimate subjects prevents a common misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wasn't missed by

Double negative construction conveying similar meaning but placing emphasis on non-omission rather than recognition.

understood by

Focuses on comprehension, omitting the nuance of appreciation present in the original phrase.

fully comprehended by

Highlights complete and thorough understanding, adding emphasis to the depth of awareness.

appreciated by

Highlights the positive reception and value attributed, shifting the focus from mere awareness.

recognized by

Emphasizes acknowledgment and awareness, lacking the implication of significance.

grasped by

Implies a deeper level of understanding and comprehension, suggesting an intellectual effort.

perceived by

Focuses on sensory or intuitive understanding, removing the element of considered awareness.

taken into account by

Highlights the consideration of something, rather than its simple recognition or appreciation.

registered with

Suggests that something has been formally noticed or recorded, losing the nuance of understanding.

dawned on

Suggests a sudden realization or understanding, differing from continuous awareness.

FAQs

How can I use "not lost on" in a sentence?

Use "not lost on" to indicate that someone is aware of and understands something, often something subtle or significant. For example, "The irony of the situation was "not lost on" her".

What is a good alternative to "not lost on"?

Alternatives to "not lost on" include phrases like "understood by", "appreciated by", or "recognized by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "The irony was not lost at him"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "not lost" in this context is "on". The correct phrase is "The irony was "not lost on" him".

What does it mean when something is "not lost on" someone?

It means that the person is aware of something, understands its importance or significance, and often appreciates its subtlety or impact. It goes beyond simple awareness to imply comprehension and often a degree of insight.