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3. lost on

lost on

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*lost on someone

Fig. wasted on someone; not valued or appreciated by someone. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) My jokes are lost on him. He is too literal. The humor of the situation was lost on Mary. She was too upset to see it.

See also: lost, on

lost on you

not understood by you Civilization developed because ideas and technology were exchanged between cultures – a truth that is lost on many of us.

Usage notes: often used in the form not lost on someone (clearly understood by someone): Increased airport security is now a fact of life, something not lost on passengers who put up with long delays.

See also: lost, on