Lost The Plot
Acted irrationally
Example
Did you see Jake at the party last night? He was yelling at the DJ because they wouldn’t play his song
Yeah, he completely lost the plot. It was just a song—no need to make a scene
Lost the plot definition by Slang.net
This page explains what the slang term "Lost the plot" means. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the Slang.net team.
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When someone has lost the plot, they become confused, irrational, or overly emotional, often to the point of making poor decisions or acting in a way that doesn't make sense. This can describe anything from a momentary lapse in judgment to a complete breakdown of logical thinking.
The phrase is especially prevalent in British and Australian English but has also gained popularity in other regions, including the U.S. Although its origins are unclear, it comes from storytelling, where losing the plot means losing track of the narrative or structure.
People might use the phrase in casual conversation, social media, or news commentary to criticize someone, such as a politician, celebrity, or athlete, who is behaving erratically. For example, if a coach makes a series of bad calls during a game, fans might say, "He's lost the plot." However, people may also use it more lightheartedly among friends—for instance, if someone overreacts to a minor inconvenience, their friend might jokingly say, "You're losing the plot, mate."