lose out

verb

1. (intr, adverb) to be defeated or unsuccessful

2. to fail to secure or make use of

   we lost out on the sale

Idioms and Phrases

Fail to succeed, be defeated, as in The election's over, and you've lost out . [Mid-1800s]

Also, . Miss an opportunity to participate, as in We came so late that we lost out on our chance to see her dance , or The Republicans lost out in last fall's elections . [ Colloquial ; mid-1900s] Also see miss out on .

Related Words

• break down 
• decline 
• fall