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
Authorities do not believe there is a suspect on the loose.
—
Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
This moose on the loose in a grocery parking lot was in the mood for a snack.
—Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
While grandparents are visiting—and after—do thorough searches of the floor, tables, sofas, and chairs to ensure no loose pills are, well, unintentionally on the loose.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 10 Dec. 2024
With him on the loose for several days, police had been offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to his capture.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for on the loose 
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Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
This moose on the loose in a grocery parking lot was in the mood for a snack.
—Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
While grandparents are visiting—and after—do thorough searches of the floor, tables, sofas, and chairs to ensure no loose pills are, well, unintentionally on the loose.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 10 Dec. 2024
With him on the loose for several days, police had been offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to his capture.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 9 Dec. 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 10 Jan. 2025.
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