# lose the bell

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/lose-the-bell
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be defeated in a contest.

## Examples

- Our team played hard, but we lost the bell.
- Despite leading for most of the game, the home team lost the bell in the final minutes.
- The champion had defended his title for years, but he finally lost the bell to a younger, faster challenger.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.