loss
"at a loss,"
1. in a state of bewilderment or uncertainty; puzzled; perplexed:
We are completely at a loss for an answer to the problem.
2. uncertain what to do; bewildered.
3. rendered helpless (for lack of something):
at a loss for words.
4. uncertain as to how to proceed:
was at a loss to explain the discrepancy.
5. unable to produce what is needed:
at a loss for words.
6. of cost, etc:
a) at less than cost; at a financial loss.
b) at less than the cost of buying, producing, or maintaining (something):
the business ran at a loss for several years.
"cut one's losses,"
withdraw from a losing situation:
They decided to close down the unprofitable branch and cut their losses.
This expression uses cut in the sense of “reduce” (also see "cut down").
"dead loss" (informal):
1. a person, thing, or situation that is completely useless or unprofitable.
2. a complete loss for which no compensation is received.
"for a loss,"
into a state of distress:
events had thrown him for a loss.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English; Old English los destruction; cognate with Old Norse los looseness, breaking up. See lose, loose. British dictionary: C14: noun probably formed from lost, past participle of losen to perish, from Old English lōsian to be destroyed, from los destruction. —Dictionary.com. //
First Known Use: 13th century. History and Etymology: Middle English los, probably back-formation from lost, past participle of losen to lose. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
Updated: 23 August 2020 {9:07 PM}
1. in a state of bewilderment or uncertainty; puzzled; perplexed:
We are completely at a loss for an answer to the problem.
2. uncertain what to do; bewildered.
3. rendered helpless (for lack of something):
at a loss for words.
4. uncertain as to how to proceed:
was at a loss to explain the discrepancy.
5. unable to produce what is needed:
at a loss for words.
6. of cost, etc:
a) at less than cost; at a financial loss.
b) at less than the cost of buying, producing, or maintaining (something):
the business ran at a loss for several years.
"cut one's losses,"
withdraw from a losing situation:
They decided to close down the unprofitable branch and cut their losses.
This expression uses cut in the sense of “reduce” (also see "cut down").
"dead loss" (informal):
1. a person, thing, or situation that is completely useless or unprofitable.
2. a complete loss for which no compensation is received.
"for a loss,"
into a state of distress:
events had thrown him for a loss.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English; Old English los destruction; cognate with Old Norse los looseness, breaking up. See lose, loose. British dictionary: C14: noun probably formed from lost, past participle of losen to perish, from Old English lōsian to be destroyed, from los destruction. —Dictionary.com. //
First Known Use: 13th century. History and Etymology: Middle English los, probably back-formation from lost, past participle of losen to lose. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
Updated: 23 August 2020 {9:07 PM}