Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To cease to see; to no longer have in one's field of vision: The literal meaning of physically losing visual contact with something or someone.
   • To fail to consider; to forget or overlook (an important fact, goal, or principle): The figurative meaning of neglecting or becoming distracted from something essential.

Usage

• The phrase is used to describe both a physical and a metaphorical situation.
• It often implies a gradual or unintentional process of separation from the object, either visually or mentally.
• Common structures: "lose sight of [object]" or "lose sight of the fact that..."

Examples

• Literal (Physical Vision):
  • We lost sight of the lighthouse as the fog rolled in.
  • I lost sight of my friend in the crowded market.
• Figurative (Mental Focus):
  • In our pursuit of profit, we must not lose sight of our core values.
  • He was so focused on details that he lost sight of the overall goal.

Advanced Usage

• "to have lost sight of": Used in perfect tenses to emphasize the ongoing consequence of the loss.
  • They have completely lost sight of why they started this project in the first place.
• Often used in negative imperatives or warnings to emphasize importance.
  • Let's not lose sight of the main objective here.

Variants and Related Words

• Overlook (verb): To fail to notice or consider.
• Neglect (verb): To fail to care for or give proper attention to.
• Forget (verb): To fail to remember.

Synonyms

• Lose track of: To cease to follow or monitor the progress or location of.
• Become distracted from: To have one's attention diverted away from something.
• Overlook: To fail to see, notice, or consider.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Lose contact with: To cease communication or connection with someone.
• Lose track of: Similar to "lose sight of," but can apply more broadly to information, time, or objects, not just vision.
  • I've lost track of how many times I've seen that movie. (Here, "lose sight of" would not be appropriate.)

Related Idioms

• Can't see the forest for the trees: To be too focused on small details to see the overall situation. This is a specific case of "losing sight of" the big picture.
• Out of sight, out of mind: The idea that things that are not visible are soon forgotten. This relates to the consequence of literally losing sight of something.

Verb

1. be no longer able to see
   • We lost sight of the tower as pulled out of the harbor