Talk:at loose ends

RFV discussion: September 2012
Rfv-sense: In an uncertain position or situation
 * I am really at loose ends about this choice, I am between the proverbial rock and hard place.

I don't think so. See. DCDuring TALK 03:48, 6 September 2012 (UTC)


 * The American Heritage Dictionary has that meaning. Also, OED has "not regularly occupied", and "unsettled" as separate meanings for the noun.  Spinning Spark  06:26, 6 September 2012 (UTC)
 * Thanks. Withdrawn. Please insert the cite. DCDuring TALK 11:32, 6 September 2012 (UTC)
 * I didn't think we cited dictionaries. Spinning Spark  17:59, 6 September 2012 (UTC)
 * My mistake. It could go under a References header near the end of the L2 section. DCDuring TALK 18:32, 6 September 2012 (UTC)
 * Some cites that are definitely, and some that might be that sense Spinning Spark  22:05, 10 September 2012 (UTC)
 * Excellent. They all look good. All but one seem dated, which might account for why it seemed a bit strange to me in this sense. I usually check some of the older dictionaries, but hadn't this time. I have added the Webster 1913 wording to capture what I think is the older usage. I will search for citations for what I think is missing: "idle, bored", which Collins has. They also have at a loose end, which they think is more widely distributed. A lesser source has a at a loose end as UK with the "idle, bored" sense and at loose ends with the "uncertain" sense. Thus cites seem helpful, even necessary. DCDuring TALK 23:13, 10 September 2012 (UTC)
 * Also see loose ends and loose end. DCDuring TALK 01:22, 11 September 2012 (UTC)