on the loose
Escaped and roaming
On the loose describes someone or something that has escaped confinement and is moving freely, especially when this poses a danger: A tiger is on the loose after escaping from the zoo, The suspect is still on the loose.
The phrase can also describe unrestrained behavior: teenagers on the loose in the city.
- abscondingDeparting secretly to evade
- at largeFree and evading capture
- breakoutSudden escape from restraint
- manhuntSearch for a suspect
- search partyGroup seeking someone lost
most wanted · dodging · escapee · runaway · eluding · wanted · armed and dangerous · fleeing · jailbreak · threat · public enemy · unshackled · fugitive · escaped convict · prison break · evasion · unrestricted · mayhem
on the loosein custody
Held by authorities
imprisoned · captive · incarcerated · locked up · behind bars
on the looseapprehended
Captured or comprehended
captured · caught · under arrest · arrested · in custody
loose, loosen, loosened, loosening, looses, looseness, unloose, looser, unloosen