lose at/lose games

[joham]

COLLINS USAGE:
Losing at games doesn't matter to some women. Most men, however, can't stand it.

My question is: Does 'lose games' mean the same thing as 'lose at games'?

Thank you in advance.

[kfredson]

COLLINS USAGE:
Losing at games doesn't matter to some women. Most men, however, can't stand it.

My question is: Does 'lose games' mean the same thing as 'lose at games'?

Thank you in advance.

They mean something different. When you say "losing at games" you are referring to the playing of games in general. When you say "losing games" you are referring to contests that are scored. It is more specific; normally it would only make sense if you were discussing specific games.

Being a macho man, I don't like losing at games, especially when playing against women. (That is a general statement.)
When I am playing in my basketball league I really don't like losing games. (I have some specific games in mind.)

Now, you might be able to get away with "losing games" in the first sentence, but you couldn't get away with "losing at games" in the second.

Or so it seems to me.