lose track
يفقد الأثر
حرفيًا: To lose the path or the physical mark left by something.
Use it when focus or distraction makes you forget the passage of time or a sequence.
في 15 ثانية
- Stop being aware of time, people, or progress due to distraction.
- Commonly used with 'of' followed by 'time', 'money', or 'days'.
- A polite way to explain why you are late or forgetful.
المعنى
It means you stop being aware of something because you are busy or distracted. You forget the time, the count of something, or where a person is.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Being late for coffee
I'm so sorry I'm late; I totally lost track of time while reading.
I'm so sorry I'm late; I totally lost track of time while reading.
Losing touch with a high school friend
I lost track of Sarah after we graduated and moved to different cities.
I lost track of Sarah after we graduated and moved to different cities.
A busy manager in a meeting
We've lost track of the original budget for this project.
We've lost track of the original budget for this project.
خلفية ثقافية
The phrase comes from hunting and navigation, where 'tracking' meant following physical footprints. In modern English-speaking cultures, it has shifted to represent the struggle of staying organized in a fast-paced, digital world.
The 'Of' Rule
Always remember to use 'of' after 'track' if you are naming the thing you forgot. 'I lost track of time' is correct; 'I lost track time' is not.
Don't use for physical items
If you can't find your wallet, don't say you 'lost track' of it. It sounds like you were watching it run away!
في 15 ثانية
- Stop being aware of time, people, or progress due to distraction.
- Commonly used with 'of' followed by 'time', 'money', or 'days'.
- A polite way to explain why you are late or forgetful.
What It Means
lose track is about losing your mental connection to something. Imagine you are watching a line of ants. If you look away, you lose their path. That is the track. In life, we use it when our brain stops counting or watching. It is most common with time. You start a movie and suddenly it is 3 AM. You lost track of time. It is not about being messy. It is about being distracted or deeply focused.
How To Use It
You usually follow this phrase with the word of. You lose track of something. It could be time, money, days, or even people. You can use it as a confession. It sounds natural and honest. If you are late, tell your friend you lost track of time. They will understand. It happens to everyone. It is a very flexible phrase for your daily vocabulary.
When To Use It
Use it when you are at a party and forget how many sodas you drank. Use it at work when a project takes all your focus. It is perfect for texting a friend when you forget to reply. "Sorry, I lost track of my messages!" It works well in meetings too. If the conversation goes off-topic, say "We lost track of the main goal."
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for physical objects you actually lost. If you cannot find your keys, do not say you lost track of them. Just say "I lost my keys." Lose track is for things that move, change, or flow. Don't use it for permanent facts. You don't lose track of your name or your birthday. That would be a different kind of problem!
Cultural Background
Western culture is very obsessed with time and productivity. Because of this, lose track of time is the most common version. It is often used as a polite excuse. It implies that you were so interested in something that you forgot the clock. It is a "soft" way to apologize for being late or slow. It suggests passion rather than laziness.
Common Variations
You might hear lose track of someone. This means you haven't spoken to a friend in years. You don't know where they are now. Another one is keep track. This is the opposite. It means you are watching something very carefully. "I need to keep track of my spending this month."
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is very versatile and sits comfortably in the 'neutral' register. It is polite enough for work but common enough for a bar.
The 'Of' Rule
Always remember to use 'of' after 'track' if you are naming the thing you forgot. 'I lost track of time' is correct; 'I lost track time' is not.
Don't use for physical items
If you can't find your wallet, don't say you 'lost track' of it. It sounds like you were watching it run away!
The 'Good' Excuse
In English-speaking cultures, saying you 'lost track of time' while working is often seen as a sign of being a hard worker.
أمثلة
6I'm so sorry I'm late; I totally lost track of time while reading.
I'm so sorry I'm late; I totally lost track of time while reading.
A very common social apology.
I lost track of Sarah after we graduated and moved to different cities.
I lost track of Sarah after we graduated and moved to different cities.
Refers to losing contact over a long period.
We've lost track of the original budget for this project.
We've lost track of the original budget for this project.
Used to describe a lack of organization in a professional setting.
Oops, I lost track of my notifications! What did you say?
Oops, I lost track of my notifications! What did you say?
Casual excuse for a late reply.
I lost track of how many cookies I ate, but the box is empty.
I lost track of how many cookies I ate, but the box is empty.
Humorous way to admit to overindulgence.
The team must ensure they do not lose track of the primary objectives.
The team must ensure they do not lose track of the primary objectives.
Used as a warning to stay focused on goals.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
I was so busy playing video games that I lost track ___ the time.
The phrase is always 'lose track of' something.
Which situation fits the phrase 'lose track'?
I ___ my phone at the park yesterday.
You use 'lost' for physical objects. 'Lost track of' is for things like time or information.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Lose Track'
Texting friends about being late.
Lost track of time, be there in 5!
Common daily conversation.
I've lost track of how many days I've been home.
Business meetings or reports.
We must not lose track of our core values.
When to say 'Lose Track'
Time
Working late at the office.
People
Old friends from school.
Money
Spending on a vacation.
Progress
Steps in a long recipe.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNo, you should just say I lost my keys. Lose track is for things that are moving or changing, like time or a score.
Yes, if you are explaining a past mistake. For example: I once lost track of a deadline, but I learned to use a calendar better.
The opposite is keep track. For example: I keep track of every penny I spend.
Yes, if the context is clear. If someone asks why you are late, you can just say Sorry, I lost track!
No, it is a standard idiom. It is safe to use in almost any situation, from casual to professional.
It is similar, but lose track implies you were paying attention at first and then got distracted.
Use it when you haven't talked to someone in a long time. I lost track of my old neighbors after they moved.
No, we don't use 'the'. It is always just lose track.
Yes, it is used globally in all major English dialects, including American, British, and Australian.
Using it for a single fact. You don't lose track of your phone number; you just forget it.
عبارات ذات صلة
keep track
To stay informed or aware of something.
lose one's place
To forget where you were in a book or a speech.
lose touch
To stop communicating with someone over time.
time flies
Used when time seems to pass very quickly.
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