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

And when visitors choose to go elsewhere, businesses lose out on billions in valuable spending. — Ray Lahood, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

If Saudi Arabia and other customers of the American defense industry start sourcing their military equipment elsewhere, or making it themselves, the United States will lose out. — Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026

Portugal are stacked with world-class talent in midfield, and there is no shame in losing out on a spot to Vitinha, Bernardo Silva, Joao Neves or Bruno Fernandes. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Failing to pay attention to these can mean losing out on a brief opportunity to lock in an improved rate. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 31 July 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