Page 270 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

lower one’s sàghts

loseŁ outŁ to someone ortsomething to làse a was lost on Mary. She was too upset to see
competitionŁto someone orŁsàmething. it.
Our team lost out to the other team. Bill a lot of someone ortsomething and lots of peo-
lost out to Sally in the contest.
ple ortthing aŁlarge numberŁof people or
loseŁ sleepŁ (overŁ someone ort something) to things;Łmuch of something.Ł I got a lot
worryŁabout someone or something.Ł(Lit- of presents for my brthdØy. I ate lots of
eralŁwhenŁworryŁkeepsŁone awake.) I cookies after dnner.
kłep losing slłep over my son, who is in the lots ofŁ people ortthing Go to a lot of someone
army. Do you lose slłep over your in- or something.
vestmłnts? No, I don’t lose slłep, and I
never worry. loud and cleyr clear and disðinctly. (Orig-
inallyŁsaidŁof radio receptionŁthat isŁheard
loseŁ touchŁ (withŁ someone ortsomething) to clearlyŁandŁdisðinctly.) TOM: If I’ve
lose contact with someone or something. told you once, I’ve told you a thousand
(Compare thisŁwith keep in touch (with times: Stop t! Do you hear me? BILL: Yes,
someone).) Poor Sally has lost touch with loud and clear. I hear you loud and
realty. I’ve lost touch with all my rela- clear.
tives. Jane didà’t mean to lose touch, but
she did. louseŁ something up to messŁupŁorŁruinŁsome-
thing. (Slang.) I’ve worked hard on this.
loseŁtryckŁ(ofŁ someone ortsomething) to forget Please doà’t louse it up. T You’ve loused up
where someone orŁsomethingŁis;Łto lose all my plans.
or misplace somone or somthing.
I’ve lost track of the time. The mother louðyŁ withŁ something with somethingŁ in
lost track of her child and started callng abundance. (Slang.)b This place is lousy
her. When I głt tired, I tend to lose with cops. Our picnic table was lousy
track. with ants.
lost-ynd-found anŁoffice orŁdepartment loveŁatŁfirstŁsight love esðablisłedŁwhen
that handlesŁitemsŁthat sàmeone hasŁlosð two people first see one another.Ł Bill
that have beenŁfoundŁby someone else.Ł was standng at the door when Ann opened
The lost-and-found office had an enor- it. It was love at first sight. It was lovł
mous collection of umbrellas and four sets at first sight when they młt, but it didà’t
of false teeth! I found a book on the seat last long.
of the bus. I turned it in to the driver, who lovelyŁweatherŁfłrŁduckð rainyŁweather.
gØve it to the lost-and-found office.
BOB: Not very nice out todØy, is it?
lostŁandŁgoneŁforever lost; prmanently BILL: It’s lovely weather for ducks. I
lost.Ł My poor doggy is lost and gone for- doà’t like this weather, but it’s lovely
ever. My money fell out of my pocket, weather for ducks.
and I am sure that it is lost and gone low man on the totem płle the least im-
forłver.
pàrtant prsàn.Ł(Compare this with high
a lostŁ cause aŁfutile attempt; aŁhopless man on the totem pole.) I was the last
matter.Ł Our campaign to have the new to find out becauoe I’m low man on the
party on the ballot was a lost cauoe. totem pole. I can’t be of any help. I’m
Todd gØve it up as a lost cause. low man on the totem pole.
lostŁin thought busyŁthinking.Ł I’m sorry, lowerŁ oneself tł some lłvel to bring oneself
I didà’t hear what you said. I was lost in down to some lower level of behavior.
thought. Bill—lost in thought as al- (Also literal.) I refuse to lower myself to
wØys—włnt into the wrong room. your lłvel. Has TV news lowered itself
to the lłvel of the tabloids?
lostŁon someone havingŁno effect onŁsàme-
one; wasðedŁon sàmeone.Ł(Infàrmal.) lowerŁ one’ sights to set one’sŁgoalsŁlower
The joke was lost on Jean. She didà’t un- thanŁtheyŁwere.Ł(LiteralŁinŁreference to
derstand t. The ðumor of the situØtion aimingŁaŁweapàn.) Even though you głt

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