loose off
C1 informal separable both
In simple words
You fire a gun or shoot arrows, or you send a very angry letter or message.
Literal meaning: To release something that was held under tension, as in loosening a bowstring.
Meanings
1 C1 neutral
To fire a weapon, especially firing multiple shots in quick succession.
"The soldier loosed off several rounds before taking cover."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
(Figurative) To send an aggressive or critical communication, often quickly and without much thought.
"He loosed off an angry letter to the newspaper about the new parking regulations."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
More common in British English. The literal (weapon) sense is used in military, hunting, and sports contexts. The figurative sense (sending an angry message) is informal. Both senses are fairly rare in everyday speech.
Commonly used with
shots rounds arrow volley email letter
Forms
Base
loose off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
looses off
he/she/it
Past simple
loosed off
yesterday
Past participle
loosed off
have + pp
-ing form
loosing off
continuous
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Synonyms
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