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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Police are wanting River Valley residents to know that posts claiming there is a serial killer on the loose in Fort Smith are false. —

River Valley Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 5 Dec. 2024 According to police, the gunman was last seen heading into the park on the Center Drive at about 6:48 a.m., and remains on the loose. —

Nicole Acosta, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024 The masked gunman, who remains on the loose, appeared to be lying in wait and shot Thompson several times, according to police. —

Max Zahn, ABC News, 4 Dec. 2024 America was reshaped by the 2024 election, the Pope made an online blunder, and police try to track down animals on the loose. —

Ash Reynolds, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for on the loose

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“On the loose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20loose. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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