turn loose

verb

To release or let go; to permit (someone or something) to roam freely or to act freely.

“Don't turn the dog loose in the yard before you check whether the gate is closed.”

Similar
let looseset freeset loose
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Meanings

verbto turn loose (third-person singular simple present turns loose, present participle turning loose, simple past and past participle turned loose)

present singular third person turns loose · participle present turning loose · participle past turned loose · past turned loose

  1. idiomatictransitiveTo release or let go; to permit (someone or something) to roam freely or to act freely.

    Don't turn the dog loose in the yard before you check whether the gate is closed.

    2 more examples

    He's so creative, and I'd love to turn him loose in my garden sometime and see what he dreams up.

    Phil - we're turning you loose on this hospital project. Please start right away.

    Synonyms: let loose, set free, set loose

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo release or let go; to permit (someone or something) to roam freely or to act freely.

Similar
let looseset freeset loose
Also see
absolveliberateset freeset loose
Cite this entry
APA

turn loose. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/turn%20loose

MLA

“turn loose.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/turn%20loose. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “turn loose,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/turn%20loose.

Source: turn loose on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.