此語可以追溯到19世紀中期。一說此語源自航海,原表示“(繩索的)一端末系住”。一說原指“(衣帶)垂下”。該語常有“因沒有事做而感到不滿”的含義。此語亦可作at loose ends。
A: It seems that he is unhappy. 看起來他不很高興。
B: You’re right. He has been out of work for a long time. 就是。他已有些日子沒工作了。
A: Have no any chance to try again? 沒有什么機會再來一次嗎?
B: No. So he is in low spirits. Don’t talk about the matter of work with him. OK? 沒有。所以他情緒低落。別和他談論工作的事,好嗎?
A: Yeah. I got it. 我明白。
B: Thank you for caring about him and coming to see him. 謝謝你關心他,還來看他。
A: You’re welcome. I know everyone of us will feel discomfortable when we’re at a loose end. 別客氣,我知道一個人無事可干的時候很不舒服。