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
Words nearby loose end
loos,
loose,
loose cannon,
loose change,
loose cover,
loose end,
loose ends,
loose forward,
loose head,
loose metal,
loose order
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”
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, nounBritish 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, nounWord 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