lost in action
The phrase "lost in action" originated in military contexts but has since broadened to include various scenarios where someone or something becomes unaccounted for or incapacitated.
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Definition
C1Military
(euphemistic, formal)A serviceperson who is unaccounted for during or after combat, with their status unknown.
Example
- The soldier was reported lost in action after the battle.
C1Military
(technical)Equipment or resources destroyed during combat.
Example
- Several tanks were lost in action during the offensive.
B2General
(figurative, informal)Someone or something that has become unavailable, incapacitated, or nullified.
Example
- The project was lost in action after the budget cuts.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "lost in action":
missing in actionlost in timelost to the worldlost in the sauceget lost