[Vocabulary] one's to lose

[ququwen]

I read a sentence today saying: "Natalie Portman on the role that has made the Oscar hers to lose."

Would you please tell by saying making the Oscar hers to lose? Does it mean the Oscar almost belongs to her?

 

[SoothingDave]

It's hers to lose means she would have to do something foolish in order to not win. She will win unless she prevents herself from winning. No one else can make her lose.

 

[Barb_D]

Which is really a silly use of the phrase here. Her work is entirely finished on the project. She can't do it any better and she can't do it any worse.

It's really up to other actresses to not do as well as she.

 

[SoothingDave]

It is silly. I'm used to it in sports talk. "The division crown is there's to lose. "

 

[Rover_KE]

It is silly. I'm used to it in sports talk. "The division crown is theirs to lose."

I agree with Dave.

Rover

 

[ququwen]

Which is really a silly use of the phrase here. Her work is entirely finished on the project. She can't do it any better and she can't do it any worse.

So it is not formal and not a good use of phrase here?

 

[Raymott]

Which is really a silly use of the phrase here. Her work is entirely finished on the project. She can't do it any better and she can't do it any worse.

It's really up to other actresses to not do as well as she.

This is possibly true if the Oscars were given out on the basis of the quality of the screen performance. However, if Natalie Portman got offside with a serious Hollywood mogul, or did something that outraged the movie-going public, it's possible that she could "lose it". (Of course, one must still assume she has already "won it" - and perhaps she has, barring those things I've mentioned.)