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
Lock your doors because Netflix’s latest serial killer is on the loose.
—
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
There are fireballs of zombies on the loose.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The Anniversary follows Quinn and Jules over the next 10 years, when their lives begin to intersect with one another’s — and the May Day killer remains on the loose.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Neighbors are on edge with the suspect on the loose.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the loose
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Jordan Moreau, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
There are fireballs of zombies on the loose.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The Anniversary follows Quinn and Jules over the next 10 years, when their lives begin to intersect with one another’s — and the May Day killer remains on the loose.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Neighbors are on edge with the suspect on the loose.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 20 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 9 Sep. 2025.
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