or+at+loose+ends
31be at a loose end (or N. Amer. at loose ends) — have nothing specific to do. → loose end …
32at\ loose\ ends — adj. phr. Without a regular job or settled habits; uncertain what to do next; having nothing to do for a while; undecided; unsettled; restless. Feeling at loose ends, I went for a long walk. He had finished college but hadn t found a job yet, so… …
33at loose ends — mod. nervous and anxious; bored with nothing to do. □ Tom usually works puzzles whenever he’s at loose ends. □ I’m at loose ends on weekends …
34at loose ends — (USA) If you are at a loose end, you have spare time but don t know what to do with it …
35at loose ends — not knowing what to do esp. because of some upsetting change. He was at loose ends when their long term relationship broke up. Etymology: based on the idea of a string or rope with ends that are not neatly tied together …
36at loose ends — adjective in an uncertain position or situation I am really at loose ends about this choice, I am between the proverbial rock and hard place …
37at loose ends — disorganized, unable to concentrate I was at loose ends when the kids were fighting. I couldn t think …
38at loose ends — ever since the factory closed, Don has been at loose ends Syn: with nothing to do, unoccupied, unemployed, at leisure, idle, adrift, with time to kill; bored, twiddling one s thumbs, hanging/kicking around …
39loose ends — Synonyms and related words: Sisyphean labor, bad job, botch, bungling, endless task, failure, haphazardness, inexecution, messiness, neglect, nonaccomplishment, nonachievement, nonconsummation, nondischarging, nonexecution, nonfeasance,… …
40loose end — noun count usually plural the final details or parts of something that you have not yet completed or dealt with: tie up the loose ends (=complete them): There are just one or two loose ends of the case to tie up. be at loose ends to have nothing… …
