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
In April, officials in suburban San Diego received a report about an emu on the loose.
—
Raven Brunner, People.com, 23 July 2025
Billionaires are raising money against him; Trump is ranting; Islamophobes are on the loose.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
The driver remained on the loose Saturday, officials said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 June 2025
The news comes as reports of an escaped zebra on the loose in Rutherford County continues to captivate Middle Tennessee residents via social media.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the loose
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Raven Brunner, People.com, 23 July 2025
Billionaires are raising money against him; Trump is ranting; Islamophobes are on the loose.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
The driver remained on the loose Saturday, officials said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 June 2025
The news comes as reports of an escaped zebra on the loose in Rutherford County continues to captivate Middle Tennessee residents via social media.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 5 June 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 29 Jul. 2025.
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