Understand the scenario to grasp 'lose out to'; it's often used in competitive situations like sports or business. She trained hard but lost out to the reigning champion in the finals.
Pro Tip 2/3
Emotional Weight
The phrase can imply disappointment or regret, especially when the effort involved doesn't lead to success. After years of development, their tech startup lost out to a larger corporation.
Pro Tip 3/3
Not Always Negative
'Lose out to' doesn't always suggest failure; sometimes it's about a strong opponent winning fairly. He lost out to a better skilled player, which motivated him to improve.