A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

lose out on something • lose out to something
lose out on something —suffer a loss or disadvantage in smth.:
Sitting in the hotel the next day, I realize now that I lost out
on the deal.
lose out to something —be overcome or replaced by smth.;
lose a competition: The popular press, uncertain of its role,
lost out to the heavies and the provincials.
lost in something • lost to something
lost in something —deeply occupied in thought or filled with
an emotion: He seemed to be lost in the contemplation of
something great.
lost to something —no longer affected by some good influ -
ence: He is able to detect those whom he may trust from those
who are hopelessly lost to all sense of honor.
lost on someone • lost to someone
lost on someone —(of humor, sarcasm, etc.) having no effect
upon a person: The real humor of the situation was lost upon
the House of Commons.
lost to someone —no longer possessed by or accessible to a
person: I had no skills to rely on and what training I once
had, was lost to me at that moment.
love game • love play
love game —a game in which the loser scores no points:
Holt’s spirit was pretty well broken and Amy slammed his
serves over almost unchallenged and won a love game.
love play —caressing; amorous attentions: Adult heterosex-
uality presents fewer problems where early love play is toler-
ated than where it is suppressed.
See also: play a love game / play for love.
love seat (UK) • love seat (U.S.)
love seat (UK)—a seat or bench which accommodates two
people facing in opposite directions: The term “love seat”
more often refers to a curious S-shaped two-seater, with the
sitters facing opposite directions (paradoxically). I’ve never
heard of a standard two-seater couch called a “love seat”…
love seat (U.S.)—a small sofa or couch designed for two
occupants: The original master bedroom of the mansion offers
a large room with canopy bed, sitting area and love seat facing
the fireplace.