Lose out to

Pro Tip 1/3

Context Matters

Understand the scenario to grasp 'lose out to'; it's often used in competitive situations like sports or business.

She trained hard but lost out to the reigning champion in the finals.

Pro Tip 2/3

Emotional Weight

The phrase can imply disappointment or regret, especially when the effort involved doesn't lead to success.

After years of development, their tech startup lost out to a larger corporation.

Pro Tip 3/3

Not Always Negative

'Lose out to' doesn't always suggest failure; sometimes it's about a strong opponent winning fairly.

He lost out to a better skilled player, which motivated him to improve.