lost for words

Meaning: You are lost for words if you're so surprised by something that you can't think of anything to say.

For example:

After hearing the news, Kerry was lost for words.
I've never seen our boss lost for words before, but when John called him a fool, he just stood there staring at him. I don't think anyone has ever said that to him before.

Note: The wonderful word "flabbergasted", meaning a mixture of surprise and confusion, can indicate a feeling similar to the one that "lost for words" suggests. "Dumbstruck" (i.e. to be struck dumb, or speechless, by something) is another interesting word with a similar meaning.

Quick Quiz:

Aisha was lost for words when she

heard she'd won the lottery
forgot her lines for the play
couldn't find her speech

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