loose ends

Idioms  

1. Unfinished details, incomplete business. For example, We've not quite finished the project; there are still some loose ends. This expression alludes to the ends of a rope or cable that should be fastened. [Mid-1800s] Also see at loose ends.

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Example Sentences

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loose ends

Other loose ends from previous seasons include Rhaena’s quest to tame a wild dragon and the status of Rhaenyra’s youngest children who were sent away for their safety.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026

My parents sent the money to a friend in Argentina to start the business in their stead while they tied up loose ends in the States.

From Salon ● Apr. 4, 2026

As you point out, however, they also require legal counsel and excellent organizational skills to make sure they’re not leaving any loose ends.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 3, 2026

And Mr. Neville gives us a sense—not only through the audio but also in the fragmented imagery and abbreviated sequencing—of a superstar at loose ends.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 24, 2026

We recognized no loose ends, everything could be controlled by our science.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison