be losing it
To start becoming crazy, insane, or mentally unstable. I just can't seem to keep my thoughts organized anymore, and I keep forgetting names and things people have told me. I think I'm losing it!
a losing game
A failing or hopeless effort; a situation or activity that is ultimately futile or cannot be won. (Most often used in the phrase "play a losing game.") I'd give up trying to get your brother to agree to this deal if I were you. It looks like a losing game at this point. You're playing a losing game if you think you can convince Sarah to go to college.
play a losing game
To try persistently and with great effort to do or achieve something that is ultimately doomed to fail. You're playing a losing game if you think you can convince Sarah to go to college. It looks like I'm playing a losing game trying to get a raise from my boss.
lose (one's) faith (in something or someone)
To stop believing (in someone or something); to become disillusioned, embittered, or doubtful (about something or someone). (When said simply as "lose faith," it is often in reference to losing religious faith in God.) The staff have started losing faith in John's ability to manage the restaurant properly. I lost my faith in my friends ever since they turned their backs on me when my husband left. It's not uncommon to lose faith at some point in one's life, but God will reveal himself to you if you're willing to receive Him.
lose no time (in) doing (something)
To do something immediately or as expediently as possible. Wow, Sarah lost no time finding a new boyfriend after she and Rob split up. We have to have the application in by tomorrow morning, so we must lose no time in getting all the signatures we need.
lose (one's) buttons
To be or become mentally deficient, incompetent, or deranged; to become of unsound mind. My poor grandmother started losing her buttons after she had a stroke on her 84th birthday. I've been so sleep deprived lately that it feels like I'm losing my buttons!
(one) can't win for losing
One is unable to find or create any success; one has been constantly and/or thoroughly defeated, bested, belittled, etc., in recent times. So Mary divorced John after their company went under, and then his mother died a week later? Man, that guy can't win for losing lately. That's the third manuscript to be rejected by the publishers; I guess I just can't win for losing.
be (batting) on a losing wicket
To be in a situation in which one is unlikely or unable to win; to be doing something that is likely or certain to fail. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Teachers who try to keep mobile phones out of their classrooms are on a losing wicket these days. The prime minister, knowing his party has been batting on a losing wicket regarding immigration reform, today announced a major U-turn in his position on the matter.
lose (one's) cherry
1. vulgar slang To have sexual intercourse for the first time. There is nothing wrong with waiting until you're absolutely ready before you lose your cherry. Too many people try to pressure you into it from too young an age.
2. vulgar slang To do something for the first time, often that which is particularly daunting, difficult, dangerous, illicit, etc. Somebody pass Marcus the joint, he still needs to lose his cherry tonight! For her birthday, I bought my friend Samantha a voucher so she could lose her cherry sky diving.
lose (one's) footing
1. To stumble and/or fall, typically during a physical activity such as walking. I sprained my ankle when I lost my footing on a hike. Be careful not to lose your footing while you're on the ladder!
2. By extension, to lose one's stability by entering a precarious or unsettling situation. I loved my job, so I really lost my footing when I was laid off. I'm just worried that he'll lose his footing if he drops out of school now—there's no guarantee he'll ever go back.
lose (one's) shit
1. rude slang To lash out emotionally (often angrily). My mom lost her shit when she found out that my sister had taken money from her purse without permission. I never expected Tom to start crying and kicking chairs when he wasn't elected to student council, but he totally lost his shit!
2. rude slang To lose control of one's mental faculties. Why did I get up from my desk? Oh man, I'm definitely losing my shit.
on a losing wicket
In a situation in which one is unlikely or unable to win; doing something that is likely or certain to fail. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Teachers who try to keep mobile phones out of their classrooms are on a losing wicket these days. The prime minister, knowing his party has been batting on a losing wicket regarding immigration reform, today announced a major U-turn in his position on the matter.