lose out

verb

lost out; losing out; loses out

intransitive verb

: to fail to win in competition : fail to receive an expected reward or gain

Examples of lose out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kristin gives up immediately, Cristain taps out shortly thereafter, and Sharonda loses out on the last spot to Kilby as the two try to choke down their dinner in a head-to-head battle. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026

Wyatt barely lost out on its first undefeated regular season in program history. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2026

But his attack on Norway seems to have stemmed from losing out on the Nobel Peace Prize, which was awarded to South African human rights pioneer Navi Pillay earlier this month. — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

There may not seem to be much difference between FOMO, the fear of missing out, and FOLO, the fear of losing out. — Cellene Hoogenkamp, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1858, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lose out

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout