taking a loss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking a loss" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in financial contexts to describe a situation where someone incurs a financial loss or sells an asset for less than its purchase price. Example: "After reviewing the quarterly results, the company announced that it would be taking a loss on its latest product line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

We're definitely not taking a loss on this".

The New York Times

The mark is given instruction in the philosophy of taking a loss".

The New Yorker

Now, I cannot sell without taking a loss, so I want to rent my apartment.

The New York Times

You are reluctant to sell it because of the emotional distress of taking a loss.

The New York Times

Much has been made in Congress about the possibility of the Fed taking a loss at the taxpayers' expense.

The New York Times

Politicians can't help taking a loss as a direct personal rejection, and it goes to the core of their being.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

TCL, for example, ended up taking a loss-making business with a dog-eared brand (RCA) off Thomson's hands.

The Economist

Markets would take a loss badly.

The Washington Post

They will kill 100 before they take a loss".

The New York Times

"So I took a loss and abandoned it".

The New York Times

Everybody has taken a loss in Division I basketball.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use stronger action verbs like “incurring” or “suffering” to lend impact when emphasis is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "taking a loss" in contexts where you mean generally accepting defeat or failure. The phrase is primarily financial. For non-financial contexts, use phrases like "accepting defeat" or "acknowledging failure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a loss" functions as a verbal phrase within sentences. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes the action of experiencing a financial deficit or selling an asset for less than its original value.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

17%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "taking a loss" is a common and grammatically correct expression used primarily in financial contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across diverse reputable sources. It refers to the action of incurring or accepting a financial loss, whether in business, investment, or personal finance. While it is mostly suitable for neutral registers, it is important to ensure it is not confused with general expressions of defeat, focusing instead on scenarios involving monetary losses. When using "taking a loss", consider being specific about the type and amount involved. Alternatives like ""incurring a loss"" or "suffering a loss" can be used to add emphasis or nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incurring a loss

Replaces "taking" with "incurring", emphasizing the action of experiencing a loss.

suffering a loss

Replaces "taking" with "suffering", highlighting the negative impact of the loss.

accepting a loss

Focuses on the willingness or necessity of acknowledging the loss.

realizing a loss

Emphasizes the recognition and understanding of the loss.

absorbing a loss

Highlights the act of assimilating and dealing with the negative consequences of the loss.

experiencing a loss

Offers a more general and descriptive way of expressing the occurrence of a loss.

sustaining a loss

Emphasizes the endurance or long-term effect of the loss.

undergoing a loss

Implies a process or transition where a loss is a significant part.

bearing a loss

Focuses on enduring or carrying the weight of the loss.

facing a loss

Emphasizes the act of confronting or dealing directly with an impending or existing loss.

FAQs

How to use "taking a loss" in a sentence?

The phrase "taking a loss" typically refers to a financial context where an asset is sold for less than its purchase price or a company incurs a financial setback. For example, "The company announced it would be "incurring a loss" on its latest product line."

What can I say instead of "taking a loss"?

You can use alternatives like "suffering a loss", ""incurring a loss"", or "accepting a loss" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "taking a loss" or "take a loss"?

"Taking a loss" is part of a continuous action, while "take a loss" is more general. For example, "They are currently "taking a loss" on each sale," versus "Sometimes you have to "take a loss" to move forward."

What's the difference between "taking a loss" and "making a loss"?

"Taking a loss" implies the action of accepting or realizing a loss, often by choice or necessity. "Making a loss" refers to the outcome or result of an activity, indicating that the activity resulted in financial loss. They are not perfectly interchangeable.