stand to lose

stand to lose (something)

1. To have a high likelihood of losing or being deprived of something. We stand to lose over half a million dollars as a result of the stock market crash. They could stand to lose the majority of their workforce due to the strike.
2. To benefit from or be able to tolerate losing or being deprived of something. (Always used after "can" or "could.") I could stand to lose a few pounds, so I think I'm going to start biking to work. A huge company like them can stand to lose a couple million in a court settlement, so I wouldn't worry too much about them.
See also: lose, stand
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

stand to lose something

to be likely to lose something or have it taken away. I stand to lose hundreds of dollars if I am not there on time.
See also: lose, stand
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • stand to lose (something)
  • stand to (do something)
  • starve for
  • starve for (something)
  • knock the bottom out
  • knock the bottom out of
  • knock the bottom out of (someone or something)
  • knock the props (out) from under (someone or something)
  • knock the props out from under
  • crash out
References in classic literature
"Danny's got to win--I stand to lose a mint--I've got a ton of money covered--my own.
'didn't stand to lose a farthing' through Mr Harmon's coming to life, but was quite as well satisfied as if that gentleman had been barbarously murdered, and he (Mr Inspector) had pocketed the government reward.
Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony had filed a petition this morning to stop the government from evicting settlers, saying more than 40,000 stand to lose.So far the government has secured about 12,000 hectares of forest land, kicking out 7,082 people and demolishing over 1,700 temporary structures in the 46,000-hectare Maasai Mau forest in the close of the first phase last week.
and Canada stand to lose $92.96 billion per year to risks like market crash, cyber attack and flood, an index from Lloyd's shows.
Okonkwo is keen to stay at Arsenal but the club's purge on contracts means they stand to lose him as he can walk away as a free agent in the summer.
Coral have taken a total of 114 bets on City at odds between 1000-1 and 5000-1 and stand to lose just over PS2m if they win the title.
I shed not a tear for those who stand to lose. Sport was only ever meant to be a bit of fun, something you played to win but it wasn't the end of the world if you lost.
MORE than 40 people in Cramlington could stand to lose their jobs after a branch of Morrisons announced it faces being closed down.
Describing what Scotland's exit would mean for Wales, he told the Daily Post: "I think we stand to lose what the rest of Britain stands to lose, our ability to stand taller in the world as part of a enormously successful political union, and also our ability within Britain to look right across the piece and distribute resources...
According to Reuters, big depositors in Cyprus stand to lose close to EUR8.3bn because of a restructuring of two main banking institutions in the country.
Research by the GMB union found that one in five of their members working in the retail sector stand to lose money under new rules which came into effect in April.
Families with children stand to lose how much per year on average under tax and benefit changes which come into force on Good Friday?
FAMILIES with children stand to lose pounds 511 a year on average under tax and benefit changes coming into force from tomorrow, an analysis by a respected think tank showed.
Summary: Europe's biggest banks stand to lose 20.6 billion euros ($29.7 billion) on their Greek government bonds after lenders in the region pledged to contribute to a new rescue package for debt-stricken Greece.
Summary: LONDON - Europe's biggest banks stand to lose e1/420.6 billion ($29.7 billion) on their Greek government bonds after lenders in the region pledged to contribute to a new rescue package for Greece.