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at loose ends

idiom

Definition of at loose ends

US
: not knowing what to do : not having anything in particular to do
  • With everyone on vacation she was at loose ends.
  • Drop by if you find yourself at loose ends this weekend.

Word by Word Definitions

loose play

  1. : not rigidly fastened or securely attached

  2. : having worked partly free from attachments

  3. : having relative freedom of movement

  1. : to let loose (see 1loose) : release

  2. : to free from restraint

  3. : to make loose : untie

  1. : in a loose manner (see 1loose) : loosely

See the full definition of loose
end play ends

  1. : the part of an area that lies at the boundary

  2. : a point that marks the extent of something

  3. : the point where something ceases to exist

  1. : to bring to an end

  2. : destroy

  3. : to make up the end of

  1. : final, ultimate

  1. : to put (grain or hay) into a barn or stack

  1. : within : inside — compare ect-, exo-

  2. : taking in

See the full definition of end

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