lose the plot

idiomatic phrase

British, informal
: to become confused by or unable to deal with a situation
She was so nervous she thought she was going to lose the plot.

Examples of lose the plot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
RuPaul’s Drag Race has lost the plot on talent shows. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2024 The finale featured Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke becoming a combination of Marvel's most powerful super heroes causing even die-hard fans to claim that the show had lost the plot. Caroline Reid, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 That’s where mainstream economists say he’s lost the plot. Allison Morrow, CNN, 16 Oct. 2024 During his criminal prosecution, Dawkins argued that the government had lost the plot in determining who the real victims were in the NCAA’s system. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2024 Yet in some vague but inescapable way, Perry lost the plot. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024 But the Fiat's styling has stayed closer to its inspiration than Mini's, which seems to have lost the plot. Stephen Edelstein, Ars Technica, 9 Apr. 2024 Sprawling and unwieldy, Cowboy Carter often threatens to lose the plot. Matthew Ismael Ruiz, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2024 But Musker thinks the new takes have lost the plot a bit. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 27 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lose the plot was in 1984

Dictionary Entries Near lose the plot

Cite this Entry

“Lose the plot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lose%20the%20plot. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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