lose out

/luːz aʊt/
phrasal verbIntermediatephrasal verb
informal

to fail to gain something because of not acting quickly or decisively enough

She lost out on the promotion because she didn't speak up during the meeting.

She missed the promotion because she didn't advocate for herself.

If you don't book your tickets early, you might lose out on the best seats.

Delaying could mean missing the best available seats.

💡

Often used in contexts where timing or action is crucial.

Collocations

lose out onmiss an opportunity or benefit

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

miss outphrase
to fail to participate or benefit
lose the chancephrase
to forfeit an opportunity

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use 'lose out' when emphasizing the negative outcome of inaction or delay.

Gold Rule

Avoid Overuse

While useful, overusing 'lose out' can make your speech sound repetitive. Vary your expressions.

📖Word Origin

From the combination of 'lose' (to fail to keep or win) and 'out' (indicating a disadvantage).

📝Usage Notes

Commonly used in informal contexts to express regret or disappointment over missed opportunities.

Word Breakdown

lose
to fail to keep or win
root
+
out
indicating a disadvantage or exclusion
particle
English Dictionary