at a loss

perplexe, désemparé

Sans savoir quoi faire ou dire, parce qu’on est troublé ou surpris.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : 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.)

Synonymes : puzzled, unsure, bewildered

Expressions courantes : be at a loss, remain at a loss

à perte

Pour un montant inférieur au coût d’achat ou de fabrication.

En anglais simple : 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?

Comment l'utiliser : 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.)

Synonymes : below cost

Contraires : at a profit

Expressions courantes : sell at a loss, operate at a loss