At a Loss

Intro

A long time ago, the expression at a loss was used to describe the situation when hunting dogs lost the scent of the animal they were following. Without the scent, it was impossible to find and catch the animal the dogs were hunting. It was confusing for the dogs, and probably a little frustrating as well!

Today we use the expression to describe a confusing situation, too. If someone is at a loss, they’re not sure about what to say, think, or do. They might not have enough information to make a decision, or they might just be confused about what is the best choice. Someone who is at a loss may want your advice, or they may just need your patience.

Lily is at a loss when it comes to her love life. Find out who’s trying to get her attention in today’s English lesson.

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Dialogue

Lily: Hey, guys!

Jeff: Hey, Lily!

Marni: Welcome back. How was Spain?

Lily: Muy bien. Oh my gosh, the countryside was so beautiful. Every time I try and think of a word to describe it, I’m at a loss.

Marni: Did you meet any handsome Spanish men?

Lily: Actually, yeah. I did meet someone who swept me off my feet.

Jeff: Really? Tell us more.

Lily: Well, his name is Fernan—. Wait, what is that?

Jeff: What’s what?

Lily: This.

Marni: It looks like a love note. You should open it!

Lily: OK. “Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, Lily, please be my boo.”

Jeff: That’s forward. Who wrote it?

Lily: I don’t know. It’s not signed. Hold on a second.

Marni: Why are you smiling?

Lily: I just got a text from Fernando, that guy that I was telling you about that I met in Spain. He’s so romantic.

Jeff: Wait, do you even speak Spanish?

Lily: Enough to get by.

Marni: Let’s see that love note.

Lily: Here you go.

Marni: Oh, yeah. Pretty sure I know who this is from.

Jeff: Yeah, me too.

Marni: Brian!

Jeff: Brian.

Lily: Really?

Jeff: Yeah, Brian. Are you interested?

Lily: I don’t know. I’m kind of at a loss.

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Discussion

Lily just got home from Spain where she met a handsome Spanish man named Fernando. Fernando sends Lily romantic texts that make her smile, and she’s obviously a little excited about him.

As Lily begins to tell Jeff and Marni about Fernando, she finds a love note on her desk. Inside is a poem asking Lily to be someone’s girlfriend, but it isn’t signed. Marni and Jeff look at the note and tell Lily that it was written by Brian.

Jeff wants to know if Lily’s interested in Brian, but she’s just not sure. First Fernando, and now Brian? It’s hard to know what to do. She’s at a loss.

Who is a better choice for Lily, Fernando or Brian? Why?

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Grammar Point

Phrasal Verbs

Lily tells Jeff that she knows enough Spanish to get by. She uses a phrasal verb.

Phrasal verbs are composed of a verb + a preposition or adverb that changes the original meaning of the verb. For instance, a lot of phrasal verbs take the preposition “out.” Examples include break out (get away from), hand out (give to people), and, of course, make out (kiss a lot).

Some phrasal verbs are non-separable, meaning the preposition must directly follow the verb. For instance, you can say “I dropped by the bar,” but not “I dropped the bar by” because drop by is non-separable. Likewise, the phrasal verb get by is non-separable.

On the other hand, drop off is separable. You can say, “I have to drop offmy son at school,” or, “I have to drop my son off at school.”

Which is correct, “Do you want to come tonight over?” or, “Do you want to come over tonight?”

                                                            

Vocab

boo n.

Definition

slang for boyfriend or girlfriend

Example

I told my mom I wouldn’t visit on Christmas unless I can bring my boo.

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forward adj.

Definition

confident about saying what one thinks, often in a way that is not socially appropriate

Example

My mom thinks Jack is a little forward, but I like that he asks for what he wants.

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sign v.

Definition

write one’s name, usually in cursive

Example

They wouldn’t cash my check because I forgot to sign it.

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enough expr.

Definition

as much as one needs

Example

I don’t have enough plates for tonight’s dinner party.

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at a loss expr.

Definition

unsure of what to say or do

Example

I’m at a loss. I don’t know what to write my paper on!

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scent n.

Definition

smell, odor

Example

I love the scent of roses.

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when it comes to expr.

Definition

in terms of, with regard to

Example

I don’t like most types of alcohol, but when it comes to champagne, I 

can’t get enough!

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swept one off one's feet expr.

Definition

caused someone to fall suddenly and completely in love

Example

Eric really swept me off my feet. We’re already planning to get married!

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get by v.

Definition

manage with difficulty to live or succeed at something

Example

I make enough money to get by, but I’m definitely not rich.

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love note n.

Definition

romantic way to tell feelings of love in written form

Example

Mike left Sandra a love note in her purse.