Search
Select the dictionary language
at loose ends
01
having no idea what one should do, particularly due to an unexpected or upsetting change
Dialect
American
American
Idiom
What is the origin of the idiom "at loose ends" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "at loose ends" is not definitively known, but it likely stems from the literal meaning of "loose ends" as unfinished or untied strands. It is commonly employed when discussing periods of transition, post-major life events, or when individuals find themselves without specific plans, obligations, or commitments.
Examples
After the company closed, he was at loose ends for weeks.
