Phrase guide

lose one's shirt

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To lose all of one's money; to go broke; to undergo financial ruin or disaster.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Since nearly losing his shirt in a business deal a few years back, he investigates new opportunities more cautiously.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 輸到脫褲 /输到脱裤 (shū dào tuōkù) — Translations
  • Finnish: menettää rahansa — Translations
  • Polish: spłukać się — Translations