ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lost on

idiom
Meaning

Not understood or appreciated by (someone).


Examples
SIMPLE

The joke was lost on him.

CONTEXTUAL

I tried to explain the beauty of the poem, but the meaning was clearly lost on my students.

COMPLEX

The subtle irony of his remarks was entirely lost on the audience, who took his biting criticism as a sincere compliment.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    get lost

    To exit from the scene.

  2. 02

    look as if one had lost a shilling and found sixpence

    To look very disappointed.

  3. 03

    look as if one has lost a shilling and found sixpence

    To look annoyed or displeased.

  4. 04

    lost cause

    A person or thing that is hopeless or futile.

  5. 05

    lost errand

    Synonym of fool's errand.

  6. 06

    lost in the shuffle

    Failing to stand out or receive attention as a result of a larger-scale change or transformation.

  7. 07

    lost in translation

    Unable to be understood due to having been poorly translated.

  8. 08

    lost to the world

    Of a thing, event, etc., no longer used or available; unknown to or forgotten by everyone.

© 2026 English Reference