競せり負まける

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

lose a close contest; be outbid; be beaten in a bidding war

Used especially in auctions or competitive bidding situations where one is narrowly defeated. Also applicable to other close competitions.

• オークションで競せり負まけて、欲ほしかった絵えを買かえなかった。

  I lost the bidding at the auction and couldn't buy the painting I wanted.

• 最さい後ごの一いっ瞬しゅんで競せり負まけてしまった。

  I was beaten at the very last moment.