on the loose
idiom
: able to move freely : not controlled or held in a prison, cage, etc.
—used especially to describe a dangerous person, animal, or group
The prisoner escaped and is still on the loose.
A killer is on the loose.
An angry mob was on the loose.
Examples of on the loose in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The man who snatched Roc, who was described as being in his 20s and was last seen sporting a black Yankees cap and medium-length braids, remained on the loose Thursday.
—
Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2025
And although the shooter is still on the loose, the family suspects George's former associate, Richard Clay is responsible.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2025
Michael Paul Brown, a 45-year-old Army veteran who has been on the loose for a week since allegedly killing four people at The Owl Bar, was taken into custody early in the afternoon about five-and-a-half miles from the crime scene.
—Alexandra Koch , Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
The zombie on the loose at Willow Hill marks the beginning of the asylum’s problems.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the loose
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Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2025
And although the shooter is still on the loose, the family suspects George's former associate, Richard Clay is responsible.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2025
Michael Paul Brown, a 45-year-old Army veteran who has been on the loose for a week since allegedly killing four people at The Owl Bar, was taken into custody early in the afternoon about five-and-a-half miles from the crime scene.
—Alexandra Koch , Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2025
The zombie on the loose at Willow Hill marks the beginning of the asylum’s problems.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the loose
Cite this Entry
“On the loose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20loose. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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