loose end

noun

1. a part or piece left hanging, unattached, or unused:

   Remind me to tack down that loose end on the stairway carpet.

2. an unsettled detail, as of a business matter:

   The arrangements have been made, except for a few loose ends.

loose end

noun

1. a detail that is left unsettled, unexplained, or incomplete
2. at a loose end
   at a loose end without purpose or occupation

Word History and Origins

Origin of loose end¹

First recorded in 1540–50

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at loose ends, in an uncertain or unsettled situation or position: Also at a loose end.

   Ever since leaving the company, he's been at loose ends.

Example Sentences

On the standing side of the rope, create a small loop that faces the loose end of the rope.

From Outside Online

The United States, you may not be surprised to learn, is on the loose end of the spectrum — although not in the top five.

From Freakonomics

“A loose end is one way that Isaac put it,” said Burnett at his guilty-plea hearing.

From The Daily Beast

Burnett said that Aguigui called the killings a “loose end.”

From The Daily Beast

He passed a miserable week, unable to work, at a loose end in London during the height of the season.

From Project Gutenberg

And like the young professional man at a loose end, I made a pretence of looking through papers.

From Project Gutenberg

Then I sat down at a loose end, very much like a young professional man, doctor or estate-agent, waiting for the next client.

From Project Gutenberg

The string's tangled up about as bad as it was before, but I believe you're gettin' hold of the loose end.

From Project Gutenberg

The loose end of the tracing line, about an inch thick, was hanging near me.

From Project Gutenberg