loose end
noun
1
: something left hanging loose
2
: a fragment of unfinished business
—usually used in plural
tying up loose ends
Examples of loose end in a Sentence
We still have one more loose end to deal with before we're finished with the project.
Recent Examples on the Web
Related Stories Perhaps the most surprising thing about the new Curb Your Enthusiasm season — which premiered Feb. 4 — is that, despite the show having no mysteries that require solving and no loose ends to tie up, there actually is a whiff of finality about it.
—
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2024
That's not even accounting for all the loose ends still to address from season 4.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 Aug. 2023
The night before a big trip is the perfect time to tie up loose ends, finish any last-minute packing, and get ready for the day ahead.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2024
Unanswered questions, loose ends:What to know about Arizona's Medicaid fraud investigation
What are sober living homes?
—The Arizona Republic, 16 Jan. 2024
Anyone who’s watched the most recent season will tell you there’s a lot of loose ends to tie up.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024
Even though Peter and Rose successfully saved President Michelle Travers (Kari Matchett) from an assassination attempt, the season 1 finale still left a lot of loose ends.
—Emily Blackwood, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2024
Every trilogy needs an ending to tie up all the loose ends, so the return of La Russa to the Chicago White Sox as adviser, consultant, resident sage or whatever title the team prefers was probably inevitable.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2023
But McKittrick clearly doesn't want there to be any loose ends.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 10 Feb. 2024
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2024
That's not even accounting for all the loose ends still to address from season 4.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 Aug. 2023
The night before a big trip is the perfect time to tie up loose ends, finish any last-minute packing, and get ready for the day ahead.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2024
Unanswered questions, loose ends:What to know about Arizona's Medicaid fraud investigation
What are sober living homes?
—The Arizona Republic, 16 Jan. 2024
Anyone who’s watched the most recent season will tell you there’s a lot of loose ends to tie up.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024
Even though Peter and Rose successfully saved President Michelle Travers (Kari Matchett) from an assassination attempt, the season 1 finale still left a lot of loose ends.
—Emily Blackwood, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2024
Every trilogy needs an ending to tie up all the loose ends, so the return of La Russa to the Chicago White Sox as adviser, consultant, resident sage or whatever title the team prefers was probably inevitable.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2023
But McKittrick clearly doesn't want there to be any loose ends.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 10 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'loose end.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1546, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near loose end
Cite this Entry
“Loose end.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loose%20end. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
loose end
noun1
: something left hanging loose
2
: a piece of unfinished business
tying up loose ends
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