to be at a loose end

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to give me your considered opinion concerning the interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentences?

Campion was a mining engineer, whom the Sultan on his way to England had met in Singapore and finding him at a loose end had commissioned to go to Semibulu. (W. S. Maugham)

He seemed to be at a loose end and when his visit to his friends was drawing to a close she told him they would b very much pleased if he would com and spend a fortnight with them. (W. S. Maugham)

She’s at a loose end, you know, badly wants something to do. (J. Galsworthy)

“Oh, there you are,” he said as soon as Charles emerged. “You’ll be at a loose end for a bit this morning, I expect?” (J. Wain) (

to be at a loose end = to have no definite occupation

V.

[emsr2d2]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to give me your considered opinion concerning the interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentences?

Campion was a mining engineer, whom the Sultan on his way to England had met in Singapore and finding him at a loose end had commissioned to go to Semibulu. (W. S. Maugham)

He seemed to be at a loose end and when his visit to his friends was drawing to a close she told him they would b very much pleased if he would com and spend a fortnight with them. (W. S. Maugham)

She’s at a loose end, you know, badly wants something to do. (J. Galsworthy)

“Oh, there you are,” he said as soon as Charles emerged. “You’ll be at a loose end for a bit this morning, I expect?” (J. Wain) (

to be at a loose end = to have no definite occupation

V.

It doesn't have to be an occupation (job), it simply means that you have nothing to do.

- Do you fancy going to the cinema?
- Yeah, why not? I'm at a bit of a loose end this evening.

- What are you doing tonight?
- Nothing. I'm at a loose end, to be honest.
- Excellent. Come to my house for dinner then.