此语可以追溯到19世纪中期。一说此语源自航海,原表示“(绳索的)一端末系住”。一说原指“(衣带)垂下”。该语常有“因没有事做而感到不满”的含义。此语亦可作at loose ends。
A: It seems that he is unhappy. 看起来他不很高兴。
B: You’re right. He has been out of work for a long time. 就是。他已有些日子没工作了。
A: Have no any chance to try again? 没有什么机会再来一次吗?
B: No. So he is in low spirits. Don’t talk about the matter of work with him. OK? 没有。所以他情绪低落。别和他谈论工作的事,好吗?
A: Yeah. I got it. 我明白。
B: Thank you for caring about him and coming to see him. 谢谢你关心他,还来看他。
A: You’re welcome. I know everyone of us will feel discomfortable when we’re at a loose end. 别客气,我知道一个人无事可干的时候很不舒服。