Lose it

Meaning

The idiom "lose it" is commonly used to describe a sudden loss of control, a strong emotional reaction, or a breakdown in one's mental state. It can be used to describe a situation where someone loses their temper, breaks down into tears, or simply becomes overwhelmed by emotions.

Usage

• When I heard the news about my cousin's passing, I lost it and broke down crying.
• The pressure of work has been building up for me lately, and I've been losing it during meetings.
• My sister always loses it when she sees a spider on her screen.
• After hearing the joke, my friend couldn't hold back his laughter and started to lose it.
• The stress of driving in heavy traffic can cause people to lose it and become angry or frustrated.

Roots and History

The idiom "lose it" has its roots in the early 20th century and is believed to have originated from the phrase "blow a fuse." This expression referred to a person who had lost their temper or become angry, causing them to blow their fuse or circuit. Over time, this phrase evolved into "lose it," and the meaning became more generalized to refer to any sudden loss of control or emotional reaction.

Synonyms in English

• "Freak out" - to become extremely anxious or upset
• "Break down" - to collapse from emotional distress or fatigue
• "Lose one's cool" - to become angered or agitated, often beyond control
• "Crack under pressure" - to fail to cope with stress or strain
• "Fall apart" - to lose one's composure or mental stability

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish - "perder la cabeza" (to lose one's head)
• French - "se mettre hors-soi" (to be out of oneself)
• German - "ausverzweifeln" (to become desperate)
• Italian - "cadere a terra" (to fall to the ground)
• Japanese - "壞れてしまう" (to be ruined or destroyed)

Similar Idioms

• not at all

• fall out

• lend a hand