On the loose Meaning in English
expression
ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈɫus
ON thuh LOOS
ˈɒn/ /ðə, ði/ /lˈuːs
on thuh LOOS
Definition
Describes a person or animal that has escaped and is free, especially when they might be dangerous or were supposed to be contained.
Usage & Nuances
Common in news and warnings about escaped criminals or animals; has a sense of potential danger. Not used for everyday freedom—use 'free' or 'at large' for less dramatic situations. Often appears after 'is' or 'are': 'The dog is on the loose.'
Spanish: suelto - libre (fugitivo)Portuguese (BR): à solta - livre (fugitivo)Portuguese (PT): à solta - livre (fugitivo)Chinese (Simplified): 在逃 - 自由行动Chinese (Traditional): 在逃 - 自由行動Hindi: आज़ाद घूम रहा - भागा हुआArabic: طليق - هاربBengali: পলাতক - মুক্ত অবস্থায়Russian: на свободе - на волеJapanese: 逃走中 - 逃げ出しているVietnamese: đang chạy trốn - đang tự doKorean: 탈출한 - 풀려난Turkish: serbest - kaçakUrdu: آزاد گھوم رہا ہے - قید سے باہرIndonesian: lepas - berkeliaran
Example Sentences
The tiger is on the loose in the city.
basic
A dangerous criminal is on the loose.
basic
The police warned that the dog was on the loose.
basic
There were reports of a bear on the loose near the campground.
natural
Keep your doors locked—there’s someone on the loose.
natural
When the kids are on the loose at recess, they get really noisy.
natural