Concept in Definition ABC

To understand the meaning of the word lost, you have to go through its different meanings and uses. Thus, we say that something has been lost when we do not know where it is, a very common circumstance with some everyday utensils (keys, umbrellas, wallets, etc.). Likewise, this word can be used in a figurative sense, just as it happens when we say that "I'm lost"(it is possible to know where we are but at the same time feel that we are emotionally disoriented by some reason). On the other hand, this word is used in some expressions, such as "lost fool" as an insult or "getting lost" as a synonym for staining.

In the languagecolloquial It is very common to talk about lost time, that is, time that has not been used properly.

Colloquial expressions of ordinary language

If someone does not control his nerves it is said that "he has lost his papers." When we don't get to a show on time or we haven't had the chance when enjoying it (for example, in relation to a movie) we say that "we have missed the movie." On those occasions when someone does not know what to do, it is said that they have "lost their way." If we want to express that something is not worth it, we say that "we have not lost anything."

When someone has not properly taken advantage of a good opportunity, it is said that they have "missed the boat." Do not forget that there are also offices for lost property and a very specific type of phone call, missed calls. As can be seen with these examples, a single word is present in all kinds of expressions and phrases.

To the analyze the above examples, you can come up with a conclusion: to understand some words it is necessary to understand all the language contexts in which it appears. At the same time, it must be remembered that most colloquial expressions have a meaning that is not literal and can lead to confusion (if a foreigner studies Spanish, he or she could think that expression "He has lost his papers" refers to a person talking about some missing documents).

To be a stray, a stray bullet and a stray

The adjective lost can refer to a type of person. Thus, an individual with a degenerate behavior is a lost person, that is, someone who is not to be trusted and who leads a conflictive and dangerous life.

At the same time there is the expression "being a loose cannon", which indicates that a person is engaged in shady or illegal affairs. With regard to women, lost is used to disqualify the woman who leads a very disorderly life, with immoral behavior and with a conduct reprehensible sexual (for example, some prostitutes are labeled with this adjective).

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