your loss

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Used as a reply when someone refuses your offer, meaning they are the one who misses out.

   Grammar: Stands alone as a complete response; it is not used inside a longer sentence in this sense.

   Patterns

   • your loss (as a reply)

   'I'm not coming to the party.' 'Your loss — it's going to be great.'

   She said she didn't want my help, so I just shrugged and said, 'Your loss.'

   If you won't try the cake, your loss, not mine.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   The fact of something bad happening to you, or something you have suffered.

   Grammar: Used literally with a possessive: my loss, his loss, the loss of something.

   Patterns

   • something is your loss
   • the loss of something

   The closing of the factory was a serious loss to the town.

   He never spoke about the loss of his job.

Common combinations

it's your loss

If you don't want the tickets, it's your loss.

your loss, not mine

I offered to pay; your loss, not mine.

say 'your loss'

He said 'your loss' and walked away.

Synonyms and how they differ

too bad

Softer and less pointed; it can express real sympathy, while 'your loss' suggests the other person made a foolish choice.

suit yourself

Focuses on the other person's freedom to decide rather than on what they miss.

Word family

loss noun

The noun meaning the fact of losing something or someone.

lose verb

The verb meaning to no longer have something.

Commonly confused: your loss or lost?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “your loss”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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