at a loss
Idioms-
Below cost, as in The store was doing so badly that it was selling merchandise at a loss .
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Puzzled, perplexed, in a state of uncertainty, as in When his letters were returned unopened, John was at a loss as to what to do next . This usage was originally applied to hounds who had lost the scent or track of their prey. [Mid-1600s]
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at a loss for words . Unable or uncertain as to what to say. For example, Father's tirade left us all at a loss for words . [Late 1600s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It was absolutely incredible. And I think everyone is sort of at a loss for words," she recalled.
From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026
The judge appeared at a loss for how to resolve the issue, since Maduro's legal team was seeking to dismiss the whole case over it.
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
Roderick Conrad and Suvimon Sunakorn rented out a two-bedroom condo in Silver Spring, Md., to avoid selling it at a loss after moving for a new job last year.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026
The German heavy metal singer Doro Pesch said she was "at a loss for words", adding that it had been an honour to call Campbell her friend.
From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026
They had to form teams and throw balls around, and at first Lyra, who had never in her life played at anything like this, was at a loss what to do.
From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
