The grammar of a few writers gets all unraveled where these two words are concerned.

Lose is a verb that is the opposite of win; it also can be a synonym for “miss.” For example, Analysts predict the team from New York will lose to the one from Los Angeles or I’m afraid in a big city like Chicago I’ll lose my way.

Loose is an adjective that is the opposite of tight. To wit, One reason the New York team won’t win is because their players’ shoelaces are loose.

Will you now take a bet about getting these two words right the next time you use either one – or are you afraid you’ll lose (or is it loose?)?