lose hope

/luːz hoʊp/
verb phrase★Intermediate
◆ What It Really Means
To stop believing that a positive outcome is possible.
Literal Meaning
To no longer have the feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
Literal Breakdown
loseTo no longer have something.+hopeA feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
◇ Mental Image
The mental picture of someone giving up on a dream or goal, often depicted as a dark or empty space.
◈ When to Use
A person who has tried many times to achieve something but has failed each time may say, 'I'm starting to lose hope.'
◉ Cultural Note
This phrase is commonly used in English-speaking cultures to express a sense of resignation or defeat, often in personal or professional contexts.
informal

To stop believing that a positive outcome is possible; to give up on the possibility of success or improvement.

After years of failed treatments, she began to lose hope of ever recovering.

He lost hope when the project was canceled.

💡

This phrase is often used to describe emotional or psychological states where someone feels that a situation cannot improve.

Collocations

lose hope inTo stop believing in the possibility of something specific.lose all hopeTo completely give up on any possibility of success or improvement.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

give up hopephrase
To stop believing that something positive will happen.
hold on to hopephrase
To maintain a belief that something positive will happen.

💡Pro Tip

Usage Tip

Use 'lose hope' when describing a situation where someone has stopped believing in a positive outcome.

⚡Gold Rule

Grammar Rule

'Lose hope' is a verb phrase and should be used with a subject (e.g., 'She lost hope').

📖Word Origin

The phrase combines the verb 'lose' (to no longer have something) and the noun 'hope' (a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen).

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to express a sense of resignation or defeat.

Word Breakdown

lose
To no longer have something.
verb
+
hope
A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
noun
English Dictionary