Definition of At a loss

1. Adverb. Below cost. "Sold the car at a loss"

2. Adjective. Filled with bewilderment. "Puzzled that she left without saying goodbye"

Exact synonyms: Nonplused, Nonplussed, Puzzled
Similar to: Perplexed

Definition of At a loss

1. Adverb. Below the cost or price of purchase. ¹

2. Adjective. (idiomatic) Not sure; uncertain; lacking further ideas, direction, or ability. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of At A Loss

at's
at-
at-bat
at-bats
at-fault
at-grade
at-home card
at-large
at-large(ip)
at-sign
at-will employment
at/gc ratio
at Her Majesty's pleasure
at a canter
at a glance
at a loss (current term)
at a loss(p)
at a loss for words
at a low price
at a lower place
at a moment's notice
at a pinch
at a premium
at a rate of knots
at a stand
at a time
at all
at all costs
at all hours
at an equal rate

Literary usage of At a loss

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Library of Literary Criticism of English and American Authors by Charles Wells Moulton (1904)
"His utterance is rapid, and he never seems at a loss for words. On the whole, and notwithstanding the result of his first attempt, I am convinced he is a ..."

2. Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Court of King's Bench: With by Great Britain Court of King's Bench, George Mifflin Wharton (1845)
"... but differing in other material particulars, and would be at a loss to know which was the instrument intended to be pleaded ; which inconvenience is ..."

3. The Lancet (1842)
"Much inconvenience frequently arises from this circumstance, the dispenser being at a loss to know whether he should use the salt which the term citrate of ..."

4. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences by Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (U.S.) (1881)
"With " Gross" and "Agnew" as encyclopaedic works, and "Ashhurst" and " Hamilton" as digests, practitioners ought not to be at a loss to know what to do and ..."

5. Letters and Memorials of Jane Welsh Carlyle by Jane Welsh Carlyle (1883)
"... for Christ's sake: Amen,' was the Grace before meat (according to myth) of some extempore Christian suddenly called on, and at a loss for words. ..."

6. The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses by George Washington (1847)
"... which the success of all our future operations may turn, and concerning which, for want of knowing our prospects, I am altogether at a loss what to do. ..."

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