be lost for words



be lost for words

To be unable to speak or articulate a coherent thought, typically because one is surprised. When I got the call that my straight-A-student daughter had been arrested for breaking into the school, I was lost for words. When I found out that my coworkers had taken a collection to help pay for my medical bills, I was lost for words.
See also: lost, word

be lost for words

to be unable to speak because you are so surprised I was so amazed at what she'd said I found myself completely lost for words.
See also: lost, word

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Jerneja-Slovene
Alexandrina[.æligza:n'dri:nə]
StanleySTAN-leeEnglish
Juste-French
LeocÁDia-Portuguese
Sefu-Eastern African, Swahili