
At a loss
Emotional Impact
Use 'at a loss' to express strong emotional reactions, often due to surprise or shock.
She was at a loss when she found the abandoned puppies.
Not Just Speechless
While often about speech, 'at a loss' can refer to being unsure of actions, too.
After the storm, the town was at a loss for where to start the cleanup.
Extended Use
This phrase can extend to a loss of understanding or comprehension in complex situations.
The complicated math problem left us at a loss.