lose the plot

lose the plot

1. To act in a disorganized, chaotic, or irrational manner. Primarily heard in UK. Roger seems to have lost the plot ever since his wife died. I'm sorry about last night. I had one too many drinks and just lost the plot.
2. To lose focus on one's primary objective, principle, or task. Primarily heard in UK. Our co-op had a really promising start, but we started catering to individuals too much instead and eventually lost the plot.
See also: lose, plot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

lose the plot

INFORMAL
COMMON If someone loses the plot, they become confused or crazy, or no longer know how to deal with a situation. Vikram's working so many hours as a junior doctor he's losing the plot completely and keeps mumbling about the people he's killed by falling asleep on the job. Famous people may be reluctant to link themselves with a store group that seems to have lost the fashion plot.
See also: lose, plot
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

lose the plot

lose your ability to understand what is happening; lose touch with reality. informal
1997 Spectator The truth is that we've lost the plot of great painting and have entered a new phase in which the criteria for judging work are…demonstrably shallow and trivial.
See also: lose, plot
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

lose the ˈplot

(British English, informal) lose your ability to understand or deal with what is happening: You should have seen Jimmy yesterday. I really thought he’d lost the plot! OPPOSITE: get your act together
See also: lose, plot
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • go batshit crazy
  • go batshit
  • like a dog's dinner
  • like a dog's breakfast
  • go in off the deep end
  • gone moggy
  • soup sandwich
  • go potty
  • strew (something) (all) over (someone or something)
  • strew over
References in periodicals archive
SAM Allardyce has warned Sunderland not to do a Tottenham and "lose the plot" as they attempt to strike a major blow in the fight for Premier League survival against Chelsea tomorrow.
Big Sam spurs his team on not to lose the plot
"But I don't score many and I do tend to lose the plot when I do."
Gleeson scores own goal with his celebrations
He is very much in his own league with superb plotting and writing, and he doesn't do the floppy finish, like many other writers who, literally, lose the plot at the end.
Readers choice
THEY SIMPLY LOSE THE PLOT Foleshill Road United Reformed Church, Coventry A HOME for ageing luvvies provides the laughs in Coventry comedy offering Old Actors Never Die ...
LOSING THE PLOT IS A CUE FOR COMEDY
When we conceded the goal, we kind of seemed to lose the plot," said McLeish.
ECK ANGRY AS BLUES 'LOSE THE PLOT'
And special police stations inside grounds will be set up to deal with any punters who lose the plot.
A turn for the curse; WORLD OF FOOTBALL
"When they lose the plot, they may well explode and tear a strip off the employee who has fallen foul of them.
Business bullies
"They (referees) get carried away with themselves and they lose the plot. He's lost the plot a little bit today on some of the decisions he's made.
'Referee's watches keep you younger for longer'
Despite the ludicrousness of this June remains defiant though she is worried she might lose the plot.
Council idiots lose the plot
IATA DG Giovanni Bisignani warned airlines and governments in the Middle East not to "lose the plot on cost-efficiency" and to "differentiate growth and profitability" in an address to the Arab Air Carriers Organization AGM in Kuwait.
Airline Finance News - Africa / Middle East
JUST why did Lord Fatty Fraser lose the plot over the quality of civil service evidence at the Holyrood inquiry last week?
Mackenna: Lord Fatty Fraser
Steven is a great player, but sometimes great players lose the plot, and he has to be reminded there are 11 players on the field who depend on each other.
The Midweek Derby: Poor tactics
'Companies that have lost the plot with environmental or social issues seem to me to lose the plot of business.'
Firms must come clean over the environment
He said: "Sometimes I lose the plot a wee bit - and last year Shaun stuck to his game plan and picked me off.
MAGUIRE PLOTS A TITLE COURSE; SNOOKER By JOHN DOCHERTY
REFUSING to let the curtain fall on an old favourite can lead some manufacturers to lose the plot but the New Clio is anything but a French farce, writes PAUL MYLES.
Revved Up - Renault; TESTED New Clio 1.2 Extreme