at a loss

Related to at a loss: roughshod, pale in comparison

at a loss

1. Totally perplexed. I'm at a loss as to how they lost that game after having a five-goal lead. Can anyone decipher what he means? I'm at a loss.

2. Below cost or without profiting. I think the store is going to close soon—it's been selling items at a loss for a long time. Most restaurants operate at a loss for a long time before they start turning a profit.

See also: loss

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

at a loss (for words)

Fig. unable to speak; speechless or befuddled. I was so surprised that I was at a loss for words. Tom was terribly confused—really at a loss.

See also: loss

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

at a loss

1. Below cost, as in The store was doing so badly that it was selling merchandise at a loss.

2. Puzzled, perplexed, in a state of uncertainty, as in When his letters were returned unopened, John was at a loss as to what to do next. This usage was originally applied to hounds who had lost the scent or track of their prey. [Mid-1600s]

3. at a loss for words. Unable or uncertain as to what to say. For example, Father's tirade left us all at a loss for words. [Late 1600s]

See also: loss

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

at a loss

COMMON If you are at a loss, you do not know what to do or say in a particular situation. These women are at a loss to know where to go for help. With over 190 different recipes for more than 100 varieties of pasta, Rosa is never at a loss for something to cook.

See also: loss

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

at a ˈloss

(informal) uncertain about what to do or how to do something: We’re at a loss to know what to do with all this food from the party yesterday. I was completely at a loss. I couldn’t understand the instructions.

See also: loss

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

at a loss

1. Below cost: sold the merchandise at a loss.

2. Perplexed; puzzled: I am at a loss to understand those remarks.

See also: loss

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

See also:

at a loss for words
be more than (something)
be more than glad, ready, etc.
be at a disadvantage
at a disadvantage
address comments or remarks to
address (one's) comments to (someone or something)
address (one's) remarks to (someone or something)
be in it for
away from it all

词组	at a loss
释义	at a loss Related to at a loss: roughshod, pale in comparison at a loss 1. Totally perplexed. I'm at a loss as to how they lost that game after having a five-goal lead. Can anyone decipher what he means? I'm at a loss. 2. Below cost or without profiting. I think the store is going to close soon—it's been selling items at a loss for a long time. Most restaurants operate at a loss for a long time before they start turning a profit. See also: loss Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. at a loss (for words) Fig. unable to speak; speechless or befuddled. I was so surprised that I was at a loss for words. Tom was terribly confused—really at a loss. See also: loss McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. at a loss 1. Below cost, as in The store was doing so badly that it was selling merchandise at a loss. 2. Puzzled, perplexed, in a state of uncertainty, as in When his letters were returned unopened, John was at a loss as to what to do next. This usage was originally applied to hounds who had lost the scent or track of their prey. [Mid-1600s] 3. at a loss for words. Unable or uncertain as to what to say. For example, Father's tirade left us all at a loss for words. [Late 1600s] See also: loss The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. at a loss COMMON If you are at a loss, you do not know what to do or say in a particular situation. These women are at a loss to know where to go for help. With over 190 different recipes for more than 100 varieties of pasta, Rosa is never at a loss for something to cook. See also: loss Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. at a ˈloss (informal) uncertain about what to do or how to do something: We’re at a loss to know what to do with all this food from the party yesterday. I was completely at a loss. I couldn’t understand the instructions. See also: loss Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary at a loss 1. Below cost: sold the merchandise at a loss. 2. Perplexed; puzzled: I am at a loss to understand those remarks. See also: loss American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. See also: at a loss for words be more than (something) be more than glad, ready, etc. be at a disadvantage at a disadvantage address comments or remarks to address (one's) comments to (someone or something) address (one's) remarks to (someone or something) be in it for away from it all
随便看	fill up fill your boots film film at 11 film out film over filter filter down filter in filter in(to) (some place) filter out filter out of filter (something) out of (something) filter through filter through (something) detail detailed detail for detail for (something) detail (one) to (someone or something) detail to detect detect in detective work detect (something) in (something)