lose your shirt

lose (one's) shirt

To lose a significant amount of one's money (often all of it). This is my last chance—I'll lose my shirt if this business venture fails.
See also: lose, shirt
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

lose your shirt

lose all your possessions, especially as the result of unwise financial transactions. informal
See also: lose, shirt
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

lose your ˈshirt

(informal) lose all or a lot of your money and possessions: ‘How did you two get on at the races?’ ‘I won $300 and Paul lost his shirt.’ OPPOSITE: make a killing
See also: lose, shirt
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • lose (one's) shirt
  • lose one’s shirt
  • lose one's shirt
  • lose shirt
  • lose one's shirt, to
  • lose it
  • lose it, to
  • lose
  • lose (one's) head over (something)
  • lose head
References in periodicals archive
YOU DO PAY IF YOU LOSE YOUR SHIRT: Spurs skipper Robbie Keane
You're not likely to get rich, but you're not likely to lose your shirt either.
And I fear you will believe every word of it and will lose your shirt in the process.
If you're not disciplined, you will lose your shirt."
You lose your shirt - I don't take it away from you."
LOSE YOUR SHIRT: Bowlers Darren Gough and 12th man Robert Croft watch from the dressing room as England set a new record for consecutive one-day defeats yesterday.
I've heard it said that a tax form is a lot like a laundry list - either way you are going to lose your shirt, and a lot of folks have lost their shirts dealing with our current code.
Just never lose your shirt, Victoria - it might distract the punters.
Black tie is purely optional but, please, don't lose your shirt! Then take a 'spy's eye' view of the Mediterranean coast from a private speedboat - only the best will do.