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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While Gabi Mosely finally managed to save Lacey from Sir’s clutches, their kidnapper is still on the loose in Thursday night’s upcoming episode of NBC’s Found. Katie Campione, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024 Set in 1946, this proto-slasher takes a true-crime, docu-thriller approach to the masked killer on the loose in the small town of Texarkana. Meagan Navarro, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024 Where to watch: Peacock 'Hocus Pocus' (1993) Disney's Halloween comedy became a pop-culture staple for kids in the '90s and has since found a new generation of fans who dig Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as evil 17th-century witches on the loose. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2024 Crime: Police say a Dearborn man is in a Louisiana prison facing murder and other charges in the killing of a 72-year-old Rochester Hills man and the imprisonment of his wife, while a second suspect remains on the loose. Amy Huschka, Detroit Free Press, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for on the loose 

Dictionary Entries Near 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 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on on the loose

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!