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lost in action. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
lost in action, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
lost in action in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
lost in action you have here. The definition of the word
lost in action will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
lost in action, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Adjective
lost in action (not comparable)
- (euphemistic, of a military serviceperson) Killed during military combat.
- (of military equipment, resources, etc.) Destroyed during military combat.
1944 November 18, “Navy Lists Ships Lost in Battle of Philippines”, in Daytona Beach Morning Journal, retrieved 15 September 2010, page 1:Summing up the furious October 22-27 battle in the longest Naval communique of the war, the department identified six American ships lost in action.
- (figuratively, by extension, of persons, things, policies, etc.) Rejected, nullified, incapacitated, or rendered unavailable.
1995 April 29, Rick Telander, “Jordan Does the Stinging”, in Chicago Sun-Times, retrieved 15 September 2010:The Bulls were definitely stung by the Hornets at the beginning of this first playoff game. Some Bulls were lost in action.
2001 June 8, Pascale Le Draoulec, “Flashy Thai, Ordinary Food”, in New York Daily News, retrieved 15 September 2010:[T]he bean sprouts, cilantro, green onions and peanuts—which give pad thai its flavor and crunch—were so soggy or lost in action that no amount of lobster, sugar or spice could save the dish from its torpor.
2004 April 24, Matthew Cooper, “Bush's Bills: Lost In Action”, in Time:The President will continue to push for his legislation, but White House officials recognize that, with the election approaching, it won't get any easier.
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