adj. (old).—1. Wanton; BLUE (q.v.). Hence, LOOSE-LEGGED, adj. = LIGHT-HEELED (q.v.); LOOSE IN THE HILTS (or HAFT) = incontinent; LOOSE-GIRDLED (or GOWNED) = approachable; LOOSE-WOMAN = a harlot; LOOSE-LIVER = a whoremaster, etc.
1595. SHAKESPEARE, Two Gentlemen of Verona, ii. 7, 41.
| Jul. Not like a woman; for I would prevent | |
| The LOOSE encounters of lascivious men. |
1633. MASSINGER, A New Way to Pay Old Debts, v.
| I had a Reputation, but ’twas lost | |
| In my LOOSE Course. |
1636. DAVENANT, The Wits, iii. 3.
| This mansion is not her’s, but a conceal’d | |
| Retirement, which her wisdom safely chose | |
| To hide her LOOSE love. |
1711. ADDISON, Spectator, No. 262. I have shown in a former Paper with how much Care I have avoided all such Thoughts as are LOOSE, obscene, or immoral.
1756. The World, No. 182. Apollo obeyed, and became a wit. He composed LOOSE sonnets and plays.
1783–5. COWPER, The Task, iii. 692. No LOOSE, or wanton, though a wandering Muse.
2. (common).—Dissipated.
1864. DICKENS, Our Mutual Friend, II. iv. They were all feverish, boastful, and indefinably LOOSE; and they all ate and drank a great deal; and made bets in eating and drinking.
ON THE LOOSE, adv. phr. (common).—1. On the town.
2. On the drink; on the SPREE (q.v.).
1848. RUXTON, Life in the Far West, 85. They quickly disposed of their peltries, and were once more ON THE LOOSE.
1848. J. HANNAY, King Dobbs, iv. p. 63 (1856). One evening, when they were at Gibraltar, on the look-out for amusement—in modern parlance, ON THE LOOSE.
1859. Punch, vol. XXXVII. p. 22, ‘A Chapter on Slang.’
| Our friend prone to vices you never may see, | |
| Though he goes ON THE LOOSE, or the Cut, or the Spree. |
1871. All the Year Round, Sept. He lives by anything rather than by steady work, though sometimes, when a virtuous fit is on him, and he is not out ON THE rampage, the LOOSE, or the spree, as the vernacular of the place may have it.
1871. Daily Telegraph, 26 Dec. When a labouring man falls into the state which is indifferently termed being tight, or being ON THE LOOSE, he is only taking a coarse but natural revenge for the previous neglect of the better things in his nature.
1876. C. HINDLEY, ed. The Life and Adventures of a Cheap Jack, 70. Been out ON THE ‘LOOSE’ all the morning.
1884. Cornhill Magazine, Dec., p. 607. Then presently, from the effect of alcohol and the sense of other relief, Sir Samuel went off again ON THE LOOSE for about ten days.
TO PLAY FAST AND LOOSE. See FAST.
TO RUN LOOSE, verb. phr. (racing).—See quot.
1884. HAWLEY SMART, From Post to Finish, 115. He was much more prudent in his speculations than his partner, and did not at all like the idea of letting a dangerous horse what is termed ‘RUN LOOSE,’ that is, unbacked, which might cost him a deal of money.
1891. Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette, 3 April. But the wise will eschew the youngsters, and seek for the winner among the older horses. Of whom the slashing Lord George must assuredly not be allowed TO RUN LOOSE.
TO HAVE A SCREW LOOSE. See SCREW.
TO SHAKE A LOOSE LEG, verb. phr. (colloquial).—1. To whoremonger; and (2) to whore.
LOOSE IN THE HAFT (or HILT), phr. (colloquial).—1. Wanton; (2) diarrhœric; (3) untrustworthy.
1662. Rump Songs, ii. 56. A government that is LOOSE IN THE HILT.
1767. RAY, Proverbs [BOHN (1893), 54]. To be LOOSE IN THE HILTS. Ibid., 169. Tentennar nel manico.—Ital. To be fickle, not to be relied upon.
TURNED LOOSE, phr. (racing).—Handicapped in a race at a very low rate.
AT LOOSE ENDS, adv. phr. (colloquial).—Neglected.
