they lost that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they lost that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been lost or is no longer possessed by the subject in question. Example: "After the final game, they lost that crucial advantage they had over their opponents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They lost that bet.

The New York Times

They lost that game and that series.

The New Yorker

They lost that series 4-3.

The Guardian - Sport

They lost that fight, needless to say.

The New York Times

It was the way they lost that was disconcerting.

The New York Times - Sports

They lost that game and wound up losing the Series.

The New York Times - Sports

They lost that day to fall to second, but recovered quickly.

The New York Times - Sports

They lost that night to Phoenix, 1-0, the Kings' favorite score of the year.

The New York Times - Sports

They lost that tie late on in extra time over two legs.

Independent

As Speaker John A. Boehner pointed out Wednesday, they lost that fight.

The New York Times

In the middle of the last session they lost that advantage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they lost that" to clearly indicate a specific item, advantage, or position that a group or entity has failed to retain. Ensure the context makes clear what "that" refers to for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "they lost that" without a clear antecedent for "that". If the item or concept being lost isn't immediately obvious from the surrounding text, the phrase becomes confusing and weakens your writing. Be specific and provide context.

Linguistic Context

"They lost that" functions as a declarative statement indicating a failure to retain something previously held or a failure to achieve a desired outcome. It asserts a loss, and according to Ludwig, the expression is valid and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they lost that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for indicating that a group or entity failed to retain something or failed to win. As stated by Ludwig, the expression is valid. It’s appropriate for many contexts, especially in news, sports reporting, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the referent of "that" is clear to avoid ambiguity. While semantically similar alternatives like "they forfeited that" or "they missed out on that" exist, "they lost that" remains a versatile and concise option. Be mindful of potential vagueness and provide sufficient context for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they missed out on that

Highlights the failure to seize an opportunity or gain a benefit.

they forfeited that

Focuses on the act of giving up or losing something as a consequence of their actions.

that slipped through their fingers

Uses a figurative expression to describe losing something valuable or attainable.

they relinquished that

Emphasizes a voluntary surrender or release of something previously held.

they were defeated in that

Focuses on the aspect of being overcome or unsuccessful in a particular endeavor.

they failed to secure that

Highlights the lack of success in obtaining or ensuring something.

they were unable to maintain that

Emphasizes the inability to preserve or continue possessing something.

that was taken from them

Indicates that something was lost due to external forces or circumstances.

they were deprived of that

Emphasizes the act of being denied something, often unjustly.

they came up short in that

Implies that they were close to achieving something but ultimately failed.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they lost that" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "they forfeited that", "they relinquished that", or "they failed to maintain that" to convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

What's the difference between "they lost that" and "they missed out on that"?

"They lost that" implies something was previously possessed, whereas "they missed out on that" suggests they never obtained it in the first place. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

Is it correct to use "they lost at that" instead of "they lost that"?

While "they lost that" is grammatically correct and widely used, "they lost at that" is less common and may sound awkward depending on the context. "They lost that" is generally preferable for clarity and conciseness.

How to avoid ambiguity when using "they lost that"?

To avoid ambiguity, ensure the context clearly defines what "that" refers to. For instance, specify "they lost that game", "they lost that advantage", or "they lost that opportunity" instead of relying solely on "they lost that".