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cut loose

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loose

[loos] adjective, loos⋅er, loos⋅est, adverb, verb loosed, loos⋅ing.
–adjective
1. free or released from fastening or attachment: a loose end.
2. free from anything that binds or restrains; unfettered: loose cats prowling around in alleyways at night.
3. uncombined, as a chemical element.
4. not bound together: to wear one's hair loose.
5. not put up in a package or other container: loose mushrooms.
6. available for disposal; unused; unappropriated: loose funds.
7. lacking in reticence or power of restraint: a loose tongue.
8. lax, as the bowels.
9. lacking moral restraint or integrity; notorious for his loose character.
10. sexually promiscuous or immoral; unchaste.
11. not firm, taut, or rigid: a loose tooth; a loose rein.
12. relaxed or limber in nature: He runs with a loose, open stride.
13. not fitting closely or tightly: a loose sweater.
14. not close or compact in structure or arrangement; having spaces between the parts; open: a loose weave.
15. having few restraining factors between associated constituents and allowing ample freedom for independent action: a loose federation of city-states.
16. not cohering: loose sand.
17. not strict, exact, or precise: a loose interpretation of the law.
18. Sports.
a. having the players on a team positioned at fairly wide intervals, as in a football formation.
b. (of a ball, hockey puck, etc.) not in the possession of either team; out of player control.
–adverb
19. in a loose manner; loosely (usually used in combination): loose-flowing.
–verb (used with object)
20. to let loose; free from bonds or restraint.
21. to release, as from constraint, obligation, or penalty.
22. Chiefly Nautical. to set free from fastening or attachment: to loose a boat from its moorings.
23. to unfasten, undo, or untie, as a bond, fetter, or knot.
24. to shoot; discharge; let fly: to loose missiles at the invaders.
25. to make less tight; slacken or relax.
26. to render less firmly fixed; lessen an attachment; loosen.
–verb (used without object)
27. to let go a hold.
28. to hoist anchor; get under way.
29. to shoot or let fly an arrow, bullet, etc. (often fol. by off): to loose off at a flock of ducks.
30. Obsolete. to become loose; loosen.
31. break loose, to free oneself; escape: The convicts broke loose.
32. cast loose,
a. to loosen or unfasten, as a ship from a mooring.
b. to send forth; set adrift or free: He was cast loose at an early age to make his own way in the world.
33. cut loose,
a. to release from domination or control.
b. to become free, independent, etc.
c. to revel without restraint: After the rodeo they headed into town to cut loose.
34. hang or stay loose, Slang. to remain relaxed and unperturbed.
35. let loose,
a. to free or become free.
b. to yield; give way: The guardrail let loose and we very nearly plunged over the edge.
36. on the loose,
a. free; unconfined, as, esp., an escaped convict or circus animal.
b. behaving in an unrestrained or dissolute way: a bachelor on the loose.
37. turn loose, to release or free, as from confinement: The teacher turned the children loose after the class.

Origin:
1175–1225; (adj.) ME los, loos < ON lauss loose, free, empty; c. OE lēas (see -less ), D, G los loose, free; (v.) ME leowsen, lousen, deriv. of the adj.


loosely, adverb
looseness, noun


2. unbound, untied, unrestricted, unconfined. 10. libertine, dissolute, licentious. 17. vague, general, indefinite. 20. loosen, unbind. 21. liberate. 25. ease.


1. bound. 10. chaste. 25. tighten.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To cut loose
cut   (kŭt)   
v.   cut, cut·ting, cuts

v.   tr.
  1. To penetrate with a sharp edge; strike a narrow opening in.

  2. To separate into parts with or as if with a sharp-edged instrument; sever: cut cloth with scissors.

  3. To sever the edges or ends of; shorten: cut one's hair.

  4. To mow, reap, or harvest: cut grain; cut grass.

  5. To fell by sawing; hew.

  6. To have (a new tooth) grow through the gums.

    1. To form or shape by severing or incising: a doll that was cut from paper.

    2. To form or shape by grinding: cut a diamond.

    3. To form by penetrating, probing, or digging: cut a trench.

    4. To exhibit the appearance or give the impression of: cuts a fine figure on the dance floor.

    5. To separate from a main body; detach: cut a limb from a tree.

    6. To separate from a group: cut a calf from a herd.

    7. To discharge from a group or number: had to cut six players from the team.

    8. To remove or delete: cut a line from a poem.

    9. Computer Science To remove (a segment) from a document or graphics file for storage in a buffer.

    10. To perform: cut a caper.

    11. To make out and issue: cut a check to cover travel expenses.

    12. To record a performance on (a phonograph record or other medium).

    13. To make a recording of.

    1. To form by penetrating, probing, or digging: cut a trench.

    2. To exhibit the appearance or give the impression of: cuts a fine figure on the dance floor.

    3. To separate from a main body; detach: cut a limb from a tree.

    4. To separate from a group: cut a calf from a herd.

    5. To discharge from a group or number: had to cut six players from the team.

    6. To remove or delete: cut a line from a poem.

    7. Computer Science To remove (a segment) from a document or graphics file for storage in a buffer.

    8. To perform: cut a caper.

    9. To make out and issue: cut a check to cover travel expenses.

    10. To record a performance on (a phonograph record or other medium).

    11. To make a recording of.

    1. To separate from a main body; detach: cut a limb from a tree.

    2. To separate from a group: cut a calf from a herd.

    3. To discharge from a group or number: had to cut six players from the team.

    4. To remove or delete: cut a line from a poem.

    5. Computer Science To remove (a segment) from a document or graphics file for storage in a buffer.

    6. To perform: cut a caper.

    7. To make out and issue: cut a check to cover travel expenses.

    8. To record a performance on (a phonograph record or other medium).

    9. To make a recording of.

  7. To pass through or across; cross: a sailboat cutting the water.

  8. Games To divide (a deck of cards) into two parts, as in completing a shuffle or in exposing a card at random.

  9. To reduce the size, extent, or duration of; curtail or shorten: cut a payroll; cut a budget; cut the cooking time in half.

    1. To remove or delete: cut a line from a poem.

    2. Computer Science To remove (a segment) from a document or graphics file for storage in a buffer.

    3. To perform: cut a caper.

    4. To make out and issue: cut a check to cover travel expenses.

    5. To record a performance on (a phonograph record or other medium).

    6. To make a recording of.

  10. To lessen the strength of; dilute: cut whiskey with water.

  11. To dissolve by breaking down the fat of: Soap cuts grease.

  12. To injure the feelings of; hurt keenly.

  13. To refuse to speak to or recognize; snub: cut me dead at the party.

  14. To fail to attend purposely: cut a class.

  15. Informal To cease; stop: cut the noise; cut an engine.

  16. Sports To strike (a ball) so that it spins in a reverse direction.

    1. To perform: cut a caper.

    2. To make out and issue: cut a check to cover travel expenses.

    3. To record a performance on (a phonograph record or other medium).

    4. To make a recording of.

  17. Slang To be able to manage; handle successfully: couldn't cut the long hours anymore.

  18. To stop filming (a movie scene).

    1. To record a performance on (a phonograph record or other medium).

    2. To make a recording of.

  19. To edit (film or recording tape).

  20. Vulgar Slang To expel (a discharge of intestinal gas).

v.   intr.
  1. To make an incision or a separation: Cut along the dotted line.

  2. To allow incision or severing: Butter cuts easily.

  3. To function as a sharp-edged instrument.

    1. To remove part of something, such as a text or film.

    2. Computer Science To remove a part of a document or graphics file and store it in a buffer.

  4. To grow through the gums. Used of teeth.

  5. To injure someone's feelings: a remark that cut without mercy.

  6. To change direction abruptly: Cut to the left at the next intersection.

  7. To go directly and often hastily: cut across a field.

  8. Games To divide a pack of cards into two parts, especially in order to make a chance decision or selection.

  9. To make an abrupt change of image or sound, as in filming: cut from one shot to another.

  10. To be very astute and penetrating: an analysis that cuts deep.

n.  
  1. The act of cutting.

  2. The result of cutting, especially an opening or wound made by a sharp edge.

  3. A part that has been cut from a main body: a cut of beef; a cut of cloth.

  4. A passage made by digging or probing.

  5. The elimination or removal of a part: a cut in a speech.

  6. A reduction: a cut in salary.

  7. Sports The remainder of contestants in a competition, especially in golf, after some have been eliminated: did very well but still missed the cut.

  8. The style in which a garment is cut: a suit of traditional cut.

  9. A haircut.

  10. Informal A portion of profits or earnings; a share.

  11. A wounding remark; an insult.

  12. An unexcused absence, as from school or a class.

  13. A step in a scale of value or quality; degree: a cut above the average.

  14. Printing

    1. An engraved block or plate.

    2. A print made from such a block.

  15. Sports A stroke that causes a ball to spin in a reverse direction.

  16. Baseball A swing of a bat.

  17. Games The act of dividing a deck of cards into two parts, as before dealing.

  18. One of the objects used in drawing lots.

  19. An abrupt change of image or sound, as between shots in a film.

  20. A transition from one scene to another in a film, video, or television program.

  21. A movie at a given stage in its editing: approved the final cut for distribution.

  22. A single selection of music from a recording, especially a phonograph recording.

adj.  
  1. Having the ends or edges cut: admired his newly cut hair.

  2. Having been cut or clipped off: cut grass that blew in the wind.

  3. Printing Having the page edge slit or trimmed. Used of a book.

  4. Ground to a specific shape: cut gemstones.

  5. Slang Circumcised. Used of a man or boy.

  6. To shorten by cutting; prune.

  7. To reduce or decrease: cut back production.

  8. To kill or strike down.

  9. To alter by removing extra or additional fittings: cut down a car for racing.

  10. To reduce the amount taken or used: cutting down on one's intake of rich foods.

  11. To move into a line of people or things out of turn.

  12. To interrupt: During the debate my opponent kept cutting in.

  13. To interrupt a dancing couple in order to dance with one of them.

  14. To connect or become connected into an electrical circuit.

  15. To mix in with or as if with cutting motions: Measure out the flour and use a pair of knives to cut the shortening in.

  16. To include, especially among those profiting.

  17. To separate from others; isolate.

  18. To stop suddenly; discontinue.

  19. To shut off; bar.

  20. To interrupt the course or passage of: The infielder cut off the throw to the plate.

  21. To interrupt or break the line of communication of: The telephone operator cut us off.

  22. To disinherit: cut their heirs off without a cent.

  23. To remove by or as if by cutting.

  24. To form or shape by or as if by cutting.

  25. To take the place of; supplant.

  26. To suit or fit by nature: I'm not cut out to be a hero.

  27. To assign beforehand or by necessity; predetermine: We've got our work cut out for us.

  28. To deprive: felt cut out of all the fun.

  29. To stop; cease.

  30. Informal To depart hastily.

  31. Chiefly Southern U.S. To turn off (a light or television set).

  32. To behave in a playful, comic, or boisterous way; clown.

  33. To criticize severely.

Phrasal Verb(s):
cut back
  1. To shorten by cutting; prune.

  2. To reduce or decrease: cut back production.

cut down
  1. To kill or strike down.

  2. To alter by removing extra or additional fittings: cut down a car for racing.

  3. To reduce the amount taken or used: cutting down on one's intake of rich foods.

cut in
  1. To move into a line of people or things out of turn.

  2. To interrupt: During the debate my opponent kept cutting in.

  3. To interrupt a dancing couple in order to dance with one of them.

  4. To connect or become connected into an electrical circuit.

  5. To mix in with or as if with cutting motions: Measure out the flour and use a pair of knives to cut the shortening in.

  6. To include, especially among those profiting.

cut off
  1. To separate from others; isolate.

  2. To stop suddenly; discontinue.

  3. To shut off; bar.

  4. To interrupt the course or passage of: The infielder cut off the throw to the plate.

  5. To interrupt or break the line of communication of: The telephone operator cut us off.

  6. To disinherit: cut their heirs off without a cent.

cut out
  1. To remove by or as if by cutting.

  2. To form or shape by or as if by cutting.

  3. To take the place of; supplant.

  4. To suit or fit by nature: I'm not cut out to be a hero.

  5. To assign beforehand or by necessity; predetermine: We've got our work cut out for us.

  6. To deprive: felt cut out of all the fun.

  7. To stop; cease.

  8. Informal To depart hastily.

  9. Chiefly Southern U.S. To turn off (a light or television set).

cut up Informal
  1. To behave in a playful, comic, or boisterous way; clown.

  2. To criticize severely.


Idiom(s):
cut a fat hog Texas To take on more than one is able to accomplish: "Boy, has he cut a fat hog, as they say down home" (Hughes Rudd).

Idiom(s):
cut a wide swathTo make a big display; draw much attention.

Idiom(s):
cut both waysTo have both favorable and unfavorable results or implications.

Idiom(s):
cut cornersTo do something in the easiest or most inexpensive way.

Idiom(s):
cut down to sizeTo deflate the self-importance of.

Idiom(s):
cut it Informal To perform up to expectations or a required standard; be acceptable.

Idiom(s):
cut looseTo speak or act without restraint: cut loose with a string of curses.

Idiom(s):
cut no iceTo make no effect or impression: an objection that cut no ice with management.

Idiom(s):
cut off (one's) nose to spite (one's) faceTo injure oneself in taking revenge against another.

Idiom(s):
cut (one's) lossesTo withdraw from a losing situation.

Idiom(s):
cut (one's) teeth onTo learn or do as a beginner or at the start of one's career.

Idiom(s):
cut shortTo stop before the end; abbreviate.

Idiom(s):
cut the cheese Vulgar Slang To expel intestinal gas.

Idiom(s):
cut the mustardTo perform up to expectations or to a required standard.

Idiom(s):
cut to the chaseTo get to the matter at hand.

[Middle English cutten.]
cut'ta·ble adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
cut loose

  1. in.
    to let go; to become independent; to grow up and leave home. : It was hard to cut loose from home.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
loose

  1. mod.
    very drunk. : Mary was a little loose and had to be driven home.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

loose  (adj.)
c.1300, from O.N. lauss "loose, free, vacant, dissolute," cognate with O.E. leas "devoid of, false, feigned, incorrect," from P.Gmc. *lausaz (cf. Dan. løs "loose, untied," M.Du., Ger. los, Goth. laus), from PIE *lau-/*leu- "to loosen, divide, cut apart" (see lose). The verb is first recorded c.1225, "to set free." Sense of "unchaste, immoral" is recorded from c.1470. Figurative loose cannon first recorded 1977.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

cut loose

  1. Speak or act without restraint, as in He cut loose with a string of curses. [Early 1800s]

  2. Leave, clear out, as in Let's cut loose right now. [Slang; 1960s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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