Akademik

at a loss
I
adjective
filled with bewilderment (Freq. 1)
-

at a loss to understand those remarks

-

puzzled that she left without saying goodbye

Syn: ↑nonplused, ↑nonplussed, ↑puzzled
Similar to: ↑perplexed
II
adverb
below cost
-

sold the car at a loss

* * *

BAFFLED, nonplussed, mystified, puzzled, perplexed, bewildered, bemused, at sixes and sevens, confused, dumbfounded, stumped, stuck, blank; informal clueless, flummoxed, bamboozled, fazed, floored, beaten; N. Amer. informal discombobulated.
loss

* * *

phrasal
: unable to determine : puzzled, uncertain

at a loss for a remedy

at a loss for words to describe the situation

* * *

at a loss
1. In, or resulting in, deficit
2. Off the scent
3. At fault
4. Nonplussed
5. Perplexed
• • •
Main Entry:loss

* * *

1) puzzled or uncertain what to think, say, or do

[with infinitive]

she became popular, and was at a loss to know why | he was at a loss for words
2) making less money than is spent buying, operating, or producing something

a railroad running at a loss

* * *

at a loss
: not able to decide what should be done or said

I don't know what to do. I'm at a (complete) loss.

They were at a loss to explain [=they were unable to explain] why it took so long to correct the problem.

— see also loss 2 (above)
• • •
Main Entry:loss

* * *

at a ˈloss idiom
not knowing what to say or do

His comments left me

at a loss for words

.

I'm at a loss what to do next.

Main entry:lossidiom

Useful english dictionary. 2012.