Im trying to understand the idiomatic expression "at a loss." According to this source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/at+a+loss it can either mean "Below cost" or "Perplexed; puzzled." However, I'm wondering if it can also be used to mean the same as the definitions of the word "loss."
Can one say:
"I'm at a loss of a pencil, can you help me find it?"
And would this have the same meaning as:
"I lost a pencil, can you help me find it?"