take the L
See also: take the l
English
editAlternative forms
editEtymology
editFrom take + the + L (“losses (in sports statistics)”).
Pronunciation
editVerb
edittake the L (third-person singular simple present takes the L, present participle taking the L, simple past took the L, past participle taken the L)
- (slang) To take the loss; to lose a game or competition, to make a mistake or to otherwise be beset with unfortunate circumstances.
- 2023, Nathan Bryon, Tom Melia, directed by Raine Allen-Miller, Rye Lane:
- Dom (David Jonsson): Please tell me you dumped his arse right there and then. […]
Yas (Vivian Oparah): Nope. I took a big L and got this prick some fucking hummus.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see take, L.
- We took the L (elevated train) to get downtown last night.