Meaning & use
loose something
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Meaning
verbtransitive
To release or set free something that was tied, held, or restrained.
Grammar: Takes an object: loose the rope. Often used in the phrase 'loose something on/upon someone'.
Patterns
- loose something
- loose something on/upon someone
The hunter loosed an arrow at the target.
She loosed the dog from its leash and it ran into the park.
He loosed his grip on the rope and fell into the water.
Word forms
| third person singular | looses something |
|---|---|
| past tense | loosed something |
| past participle | loosed something |
| -ing form | loosing something |
Common combinations
- loose an arrow
- The archer loosed an arrow that hit the bullseye.
- loose a dog
- He loosed the dog to chase the intruder.
- loose one's grip
- She loosed her grip on the handle and the bucket fell.
- loose a shout
- The crowd loosed a shout of joy when the team scored.
Synonyms and how they differ
- release
- More general and common; 'release' can be used for feelings, information, etc., while 'loose' is often physical and literary.
- free
- Focuses on removing limits; 'loose' emphasizes the act of letting go from a restraint.
- let go
- Informal and usually means to stop holding; 'loose' is more formal and often implies shooting or setting free.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: loose something or lose?
loose something vs lose
Lose means to no longer have something or to not win. Loose (verb) means to release. They sound similar but have different meanings.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'loose something' correctly?
Choose one answer.
In option A, 'loosed' means released, which fits the context of a balloon floating away. In B, 'loosed' is wrong because it means released, not lost; the correct verb is 'lost'. In C, 'loosed' is wrong because it means released, not failed to win; the correct verb is 'lost'. In D, 'loosed' is wrong because it means released, not lost control of; the correct phrase is 'lost her temper'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “loose something”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.