get lost

Meaning

To lose one's way or become disoriented in an unfamiliar place. While it can also be used as an impolite command telling someone to go away, in travel contexts, it simply means not knowing where you are.

Examples

• We got lost in the narrow streets of Rome, but we found a great cafe.

  We got lost in the narrow streets of Rome, but we found a great cafe.

• Don't worry about getting lost; we have GPS on our phones.

  Don't worry about getting lost; we have GPS on our phones.

• I always get lost when I visit a new city without a map.

  I always get lost when I visit a new city without a map.

• If you get lost, just stay where you are and call me.

  If you get lost, just stay where you are and call me.

• They got completely lost trying to find the hiking trail.

  They got completely lost trying to find the hiking trail.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I lost myself in the city.

  ✓ I got lost in the city.

  'Lose oneself' means to be deeply absorbed or distracted by something (like a book or a feeling). To lose your physical way, use 'get lost'.

• ✗ He is losted.

  ✓ He is lost. / He got lost.

  'Lost' is already the past participle and adjective form. 'Losted' is grammatically incorrect.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I didn't have a map, so I ended up ___ on the way to the museum.

  💡 Use the -ing form of the phrase.

  Show answer

  getting lost

• It's easy to ___ in this massive airport.

  💡 Lose your way.

  Show answer

  get lost