[General] be (go) on the loose

[vil]

Dear teachers,

[FONT=&quot]Would you tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence? [/FONT]

I’m inclined to think he is on the loose again; I saw him out with that young gambler Spinks, yesterday.

be (go) on the loose = go on the burst, go the pace, burn the candle at both ends

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

 

[Munch]

Re: be (go) in the loose

Not exactly. "On the loose" just means "free" or "not locked up", but it often has a suggestion that the person or thing "on the loose" will cause trouble, or perhaps should be locked up.

In your sentence, it sounds like a bad person is "on the loose" and therefore free to cause trouble.