loose
Not tight or strongly fixed in place; it can move or come off.
Not firmly attached, fastened, or fitting closely; able to move slightly or come off.
Not very strict; allowing people to do many things in their own way.
Not strict, firm, or tightly controlled; allowing a lot of freedom or flexibility.
Not locked in, not tied, or not caught; free to move around.
Free to move around because not tied up, contained, or captured.
Not in one solid piece; made of many small parts that move easily.
Not pressed into a solid mass; consisting of separate parts, grains, or strands.
Not very exact or clear; only gives a general idea.
Not exact, clear, or strictly defined; only roughly correct or following the rules in a general way.
Not tight or stiff; the body or movement feels easy and relaxed.
Relaxed and flexible, not stiff or tight, especially in the body or in the way someone moves.
Not careful or strict enough about important things like facts, safety, or rules.
Careless and not properly controlled or strict enough in dealing with something important, such as facts, safety, or standards.
Having sex with many people and not following traditional sexual rules; usually a negative or critical word.
Having many sexual partners and not following traditional sexual standards; used especially in a disapproving way.
To let someone or something go free, or to send something out strongly.
To release someone or something so that they are no longer held, tied, or contained; to send or throw something out forcefully.
- Base: loose
- Comparative: looser
- Superlative: loosest
- Base: loose
- 3rd Person Singular: looses
- Present Participle: loosing
- Past: loosed
a loose cannon
1dangerously unpredictable person
A person who is hard to control and may cause problems because they act in wild or unpredictable ways.
- The new player is a bit of a loose cannon both on and off the field.
- Some voters see him as a loose cannon who could damage the party’s image.
- She can be a loose cannon in meetings, saying things that surprise everyone.
at a loose end
1unsure what to do with time
Having no plans or work and not knowing what to do with your time. (Mainly British English.)
- If you’re at a loose end this afternoon, why don’t you come over for coffee?
- He always feels at a loose end when his girlfriend is away for the weekend.
- I was at a loose end on Sunday, so I went for a long walk.
at loose ends
1having free time with no plans
Having free time with no plans and feeling unsure what to do. (Mainly American English.)
- I’m at loose ends this evening, so I might watch a movie.
- She found herself at loose ends after she quit her job.
- If you’re at loose ends this weekend, give me a call.
cut loose
1to free yourself and act freely
To stop being controlled or careful and behave in a very free, fun, or wild way; or to separate yourself from someone’s control.
- Everyone’s been working so hard; they just want to go out and cut loose tonight.
- She finally cut loose from her controlling parents and moved to another city.
- On Fridays, people in the office tend to cut loose a bit and joke around.
hang loose
1relax and stay calm
To relax, not worry, and not rush; to be calm and take things easy.
- Just hang loose and enjoy the weekend.
- We’re not in a hurry, so let’s hang loose for a while at the café.
- He told me to hang loose until he called back with more information.
loose change
1small coins carried separately
Small coins that you carry in your pocket, bag, or a container, not arranged in rolls.
- I found some loose change under the sofa.
- Do you have any loose change for the parking meter?
- He keeps his loose change in a jar by the door.
loose ends
1small unfinished details
Small parts of a plan, project, or situation that are not finished or not decided yet.
- We just need to tie up a few loose ends before we can launch the website.
- The report is almost done, but there are still some loose ends to deal with.
- She spent the afternoon tying up loose ends at work before her vacation.
on the loose
1free and not under control
Free and not controlled or caught, especially after escaping.
- Several prisoners are still on the loose after last night’s riot.
- There’s a bear on the loose near the campsite, so stay inside your cabins.
- The police warned that the attacker was on the loose and could be dangerous.
play fast and loose (with)
1act carelessly or dishonestly
To act in a careless or dishonest way with something important, such as rules, facts, or other people’s feelings.
- The company has been playing fast and loose with safety regulations.
- You can’t play fast and loose with the truth in a court of law.
- Politicians should not play fast and loose with people’s hopes.
let loose
1act freely without control
To behave in an uncontrolled or free way, often for fun.
- After the exams, we all went out and let loose.
- She really lets loose when she dances.
let loose
2to release or fully express
To allow something or someone to be free, or to express feelings, emotions, or energy very strongly.
- The children were finally let loose in the park after the long car ride.
- He let loose a stream of angry words at the referee.
- As soon as the music started, the crowd let loose and began to dance.