on the loose

Having been freed from some restraint or free in an environment with the potential to cause mischief, damage, or harm. Every time the Navy boat pulls into the harbor, there are sailors on the loose all over the city. There are reports of a large bear on the loose in the lower mountain town.

See also: loose, on

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

on the loose

running around free. Look out! There is a bear on the loose from the zoo. Most kids enjoy being on the loose when they go to college.

See also: loose, on

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

on the loose

1. At large, free, as in That dog of theirs is on the loose all the time. [Second half of 1800s]

2. Acting without restraint, as in After the game the players were in town, on the loose. [Mid-1700s]

See also: loose, on

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

on the loose

COMMON

1. If a dangerous person or animal is on the loose, they are free because they have escaped from somewhere. The person who carried out those awful murders is still on the loose. There was a lion on the loose in the building.

2. If someone is on the loose, they are not being controlled or looked after by anyone and they are free to behave however they want. The movie is about a young boy on the loose in New York.

See also: loose, on

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

(be) on the ˈloose

1 (of an escaped prisoner, animal, etc.) be free: There are ten prisoners on the loose. OPPOSITE: under lock and key
2 be enjoying a period of freedom from your normal life or usual rules and restrictions: Her boyfriend’s on the loose in Paris this weekend, but she doesn’t seem to mind.

See also: loose, on

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

on the loose

1. At large; free.

2. Acting in an uninhibited fashion.

See also: loose, on

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

on the loose

Not constrained by responsibilities, free to indulge oneself. This seemingly modern slangy expression dates from the mid-1700s, when it could also mean to live by prostitution. That may or not have been intended by John Cleland when he wrote, “The giddy wildness of young girls once got upon the loose” (Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, 1749).

See also: loose, on

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer

See also:

taught
teach (one) a lesson
teach a lesson
not mean (one) any harm
mean (one) no harm
mean no harm
go overboard
go overboard, to
make mischief
harm

词组	on the loose
释义	on the loose on the loose Having been freed from some restraint or free in an environment with the potential to cause mischief, damage, or harm. Every time the Navy boat pulls into the harbor, there are sailors on the loose all over the city. There are reports of a large bear on the loose in the lower mountain town. See also: loose, on Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. on the loose running around free. Look out! There is a bear on the loose from the zoo. Most kids enjoy being on the loose when they go to college. See also: loose, on McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. on the loose 1. At large, free, as in That dog of theirs is on the loose all the time. [Second half of 1800s] 2. Acting without restraint, as in After the game the players were in town, on the loose. [Mid-1700s] See also: loose, on The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. on the loose COMMON 1. If a dangerous person or animal is on the loose, they are free because they have escaped from somewhere. The person who carried out those awful murders is still on the loose. There was a lion on the loose in the building. 2. If someone is on the loose, they are not being controlled or looked after by anyone and they are free to behave however they want. The movie is about a young boy on the loose in New York. See also: loose, on Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. (be) on the ˈloose 1 (of an escaped prisoner, animal, etc.) be free: There are ten prisoners on the loose. OPPOSITE: under lock and key 2 be enjoying a period of freedom from your normal life or usual rules and restrictions: Her boyfriend’s on the loose in Paris this weekend, but she doesn’t seem to mind. See also: loose, on Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary on the loose 1. At large; free. 2. Acting in an uninhibited fashion. See also: loose, on American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. on the loose Not constrained by responsibilities, free to indulge oneself. This seemingly modern slangy expression dates from the mid-1700s, when it could also mean to live by prostitution. That may or not have been intended by John Cleland when he wrote, “The giddy wildness of young girls once got upon the loose” (Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, 1749). See also: loose, on The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer See also: taught teach (one) a lesson teach a lesson not mean (one) any harm mean (one) no harm mean no harm go overboard go overboard, to make mischief harm
随便看	calf love call call about call about (something) call again call (a group) together call a halt call a halt to call a halt to (something) call (all) the shots call all the shots call a meeting call a meeting to order and call the meeting to order call an audible call around call a spade a spade call a spade a spade, to call a/the meeting to order call at (some place) call at some place call attention to call attention to (someone or something) call away call back callback