loose end

noun

1

: something left hanging loose

2

: a fragment of unfinished business

—usually used in plural

tying up loose ends

Examples of loose end in a Sentence

We still have one more loose end to deal with before we're finished with the project.

Recent Examples on the Web

Their process stays true to the past: Wool is woven, charred to singe loose ends, then repeatedly washed and dried for softness. —Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 9 July 2024

After the death, the doula helps family close social media and bank accounts, transfer car titles, hire people to clean a vacated apartment, tying all the loose ends of the recently living. —Krista Stevens, Longreads, 27 June 2024

So that prison riot happened, and maybe it was incited by Archie himself as a means to get out of prison and come back and finish off another loose end, which was Dr. Sullivan. —Lauren Huff, EW.com, 20 June 2024

Unfortunately, the company isn’t forgiving; John and Jane are loose ends that still need to be tied up. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 2 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

loose end

noun

1

: something left hanging loose

2

: a piece of unfinished business

tying up loose ends