Lost to

Meaning

The idiom "lost to" means that something or someone is out of sight, beyond reach, or not being considered anymore. It can also mean that something has been destroyed or damaged irreparably.

Usage

• I searched everywhere for my keys but they were lost to me.
• The company was lost to the competition due to poor management.
• The storm damaged the house so badly that it was lost to the elements.
• The artist's work was lost to time, with no one knowing who created it.
• The city has grown so fast that it feels like my childhood is lost to me now.

Roots and History

The earliest known use of the idiom "lost to" can be traced back to the 16th century in English literature. It was used to mean that something or someone had been destroyed or damaged beyond repair. Over time, the meaning of the idiom evolved to include situations where something is out of sight, beyond reach, or not being considered anymore.

Synonyms in English

• Lost forever
• Disappeared without a trace
• Lost track of
• Forgotten
• Missed

Synonyms in other languages

• German: "Verloren" - lost
• Spanish: "Perdido/a" - lost
• French: "Perdu/e" - lost
• Italian: "Perso/a" - lost
• Arabic: "ميضاً ذهب" - disappeared

Similar Idioms

• come over

• leave at the altar

• back to basics