loose end


noun

a part or piece left hanging, unattached, or unused: Remind me to tack down that loose end on the stairway carpet.
an unsettled detail, as of a business matter: The arrangements have been made, except for a few loose ends.

Idioms for loose end

    at loose ends, in an uncertain or unsettled situation or position: Ever since leaving the company, he's been at loose ends. Also at a loose end.

Origin of loose end

First recorded in 1540–50

Definition for at loose ends (2 of 2)

Origin of end

1
First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English ende; cognate with Old Frisian enda, Middle Dutch e(i)nde, Old Saxon endi, Old High German anti, German Ende, Old Norse endi(r), Gothic andeis “end,” from unattested Germanic anthjá-; akin to Sanskrit ánta- “end”

SYNONYMS FOR end

synonym study for end

5. End, close, conclusion, finish, outcome refer to the termination of something. End implies a natural termination or completion, or an attainment of purpose: the end of a day, of a race; to some good end. Close often implies a planned rounding off of something in process: the close of a conference. Conclusion suggests a decision or arrangement: All evidence leads to this conclusion; the conclusion of peace terms. Finish emphasizes completion of something begun: a fight to the finish. Outcome suggests the issue of something that was in doubt: the outcome of a game. 7. See aim.

OTHER WORDS FROM end

end·er, noun

British Dictionary definitions for at loose ends (1 of 3)

loose end

noun

a detail that is left unsettled, unexplained, or incomplete
at a loose end without purpose or occupation

British Dictionary definitions for at loose ends (2 of 3)

end 1
/ (ɛnd) /

noun

verb

See also end up

Derived forms of end

ender, noun

Word Origin for end

Old English ende; related to Old Norse endir, Gothic andeis, Old High German endi, Latin antiae forelocks, Sanskrit antya last

British Dictionary definitions for at loose ends (3 of 3)

end 2
/ (ɛnd) /

verb

(tr) British to put (hay or grain) into a barn or stack

Word Origin for end

Old English innian; related to Old High German innōn; see inn

Idioms and Phrases with at loose ends (1 of 2)

at loose ends

In an unsettled or uncertain situation. For example, This whole visit has left me feeling restless, constantly at loose ends, or Jane couldn't find a job this year and so is at loose ends for the summer. [Mid-1800s]

Idioms and Phrases with at loose ends (2 of 2)

end