on the loose
Definition
- Adjective Phrase:
- Escaped and free, not confined or captured: Used to describe a person, animal, or thing that has gotten free from a place of confinement (like a prison, cage, or leash) and is now at large, often implying a potential danger or threat.
- Acting in an uncontrolled or wild manner: Can describe someone behaving without restraint or in a reckless way.
Usage Examples
- Adjective Phrase:
- The police warned residents that a dangerous prisoner was on the loose.
- After the storm, several farm animals were on the loose.
- With the kids on the loose in the candy store, I knew we'd have a big bill.
Advanced Usage
- "to be on the loose": This is the standard form of the phrase, functioning as a predicate adjective following a linking verb like "be" or "go."
- The tiger went on the loose after the zoo enclosure was damaged.
- The phrase often carries a connotation of something that should be contained or controlled being free, which can cause concern, excitement, or chaos depending on the context.
Variants and Related Words
- At large (adj. phrase): A more formal synonym, often used in official contexts like police bulletins. (e.g., )
- Loose (adj.): Not firmly or tightly fixed in place; not bound or confined. (e.g., , )
- Escaped (adj.): Having broken free from confinement. (e.g., )
Synonyms
- At large
- Free
- Unconfined
- Fugitive (specifically for a person fleeing custody)
Related Phrases
- Break loose: To escape or become free from restraint.
- One of the horses broke loose from the fence.
- Cut loose: To act in a free, uninhibited, or reckless way.
- After the exams, the students cut loose at the beach.
- Turn loose: To release or set free.
- He turned the bird loose from its cage.
Related Idioms
- Have a screw loose: To be slightly crazy or eccentric. (Note: This idiom uses "loose" but has a different meaning from "on the loose.")
- I think he has a screw loose if he believes that story.
- All hell broke loose: A situation suddenly became chaotic and uncontrollable.
- When the fire alarm went off, all hell broke loose in the office.
Adjective
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having escaped, especially from confinement
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a convict still at large
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searching for two escaped prisoners
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dogs loose on the streets
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criminals on the loose in the neighborhood
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