at a loss

phrase

1

: uncertain as to how to proceed

was at a loss to explain the discrepancy

2

: unable to produce what is needed

at a loss for words

Examples of at a loss in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That guaranteed the teams with revenue, with brokers benefiting from a markup for popular games but taking the risk that tickets to less popular games would sell at a loss, or not at all. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

But in this premiere, the cast is largely at a loss on who to target at the first roundtable. — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

However, stocks that performed below their purchase price can be sold at a loss to offset capital gains and reduce your overall tax liability—a process called tax-loss harvesting. — Paula Thielen, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

State subsidies and mandates from Beijing have also encouraged excess production and cutthroat price wars, forcing them to turn to export markets and resulting in nearly a third of Chinese industrial firms operating at a loss. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for at a loss

• albatross
• applesauce
• barabbas
• helios
• kshatriyas
• menelaus
• across
• backcross
• crisscross
• lacrosse
• recross
• tomas