lose the thread
Miss the point
To lose the thread is to lose track of what's being said or discussed, especially in a conversation or argument that has become complicated or digressive.
The metaphor evokes a thread guiding you through a maze—once lost, you can't follow the path: I'm sorry, I've completely lost the thread. What were we talking about?
Also used for losing one's train of thought while speaking.
- digressStray from the topic
- go off on a tangentDeviate from the subject
- befuddledMentally confused, disoriented
- disorientedLacking sense of direction
- confusedUnable to understand
muddled · derailment · puzzled · perplexed · forgetfulness · mental block · lapse · absent-mindedness · incoherence · non sequitur · diverge · drift · where was I · discontinuity · conversation · muddleheadedness · misunderstanding · distraction
lose the threadkeep track
Maintain awareness of
follow along · keep up · stay on track · understand · comprehend
lose the threadstay focused
Maintain mental concentration
concentrate · pay attention · stay sharp · keep one's eye on the ball · tune in
lose, loses, lost, losing, loser, losers, losses, thread, threads