at a loss

perplesso, disorientato

Incapace di decidere cosa fare o dire perché si è confusi o sorpresi.

In inglese semplice: Unable to decide what to do or say because you are confused or surprised.

• I’m at a loss for words.
• His strange reply left us at a loss.
• We were at a loss to explain the missing money.

Come si usa: be at a loss for something (I was at a loss for words.); be at a loss to do something (We are at a loss to explain the delay.); be at a loss as to what/how… (She was at a loss as to what to do next.)

Sinonimi: puzzled, unsure, bewildered

Espressioni comuni: be at a loss, remain at a loss

in perdita

A un prezzo inferiore al costo di acquisto o di produzione.

In inglese semplice: For less money than something cost to buy or produce.

• We sold the car at a loss.
• The shop has been operating at a loss since January.
• Would you sell your shares at a loss?

Come si usa: sell something at a loss (They sold the car at a loss.); operate at a loss (The factory operated at a loss for three years.)

Sinonimi: below cost

Contrari: at a profit

Espressioni comuni: sell at a loss, operate at a loss