loose an arrow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "loose an arrow" is not correct in English; it should be "loose an arrow." You can use it when referring to the act of releasing an arrow from a bow.
Example: "The archer took a deep breath and prepared to loose an arrow at the target."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I put my hands on a number of Air Force personnel during that trip, and they all are tightly strung, like the bowstring pulled taut ready to loose an arrow.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

While these words do have some archaic usages, such as loose being used as a verb ("he loosed an arrow"), focus on the most common meanings of these words.

WikiHow

The women are thus free to practice their homely skills, such as leaning sideways from the saddle of a galloping horse until their heads are on a level with their stirrups and then, from this comfortable position, loosing off an arrow at the target.

The New Yorker

Author and journalist Brian Brett described Collapse as "a slow, rich feast" while "the compact A Short History of Progress is an arrow loosed from a powerful bow, a lyric dart into the heart of human behaviour".

Wikipedia

At this Tiamat, furious, attacked, but Marduk loosed the winds against her, pierced her heart with an arrow, and killed her.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sagittal CBCT-A reformatted image shows the presence of intra-articular loose bodies (arrow) Open image in new window Fig. 12 Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the elbow.

Insights into Imaging

In Western nations, the so-called Mediterranean draw is used to draw and loose the arrow; this is executed by pulling the string back with three fingers, the first being above and the second and third below the nocked arrow.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Straighter than an arrow.

The New York Times

No, an arrow.

The Guardian - Books

I shoot an arrow right.

The New York Times - Books

Time is a boomerang, not an arrow.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "release an arrow" instead of "loose an arrow" for grammatical correctness. "Release" is the standard verb for describing the action of letting go of an arrow from a bow.

Common error

Avoid using "loose" when you mean "release". "Loose" describes something not tightly fastened, whereas "release" is the correct verb for the action of shooting an arrow. Remember, the correct phrasing is to "release an arrow."

Linguistic Context

The phrase, though grammatically incorrect, attempts to function as a verb phrase describing the action of releasing an arrow. While "loose" can function as a verb in archaic contexts, modern usage dictates using "release" instead. Ludwig indicates that the phrasing is incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

12.5%

Less common in

Science

12.5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "loose an arrow" might be understood due to its historical context, it is grammatically incorrect in modern English. Ludwig suggests using alternatives such as ""release an arrow"", ""shoot an arrow"", or ""fire an arrow"" for improved clarity and accuracy. The phrase appears rarely, and mainly in news, wiki and encyclopedia sources, so avoid this usage in formal communication. Choosing the correct verb ensures your writing is precise and adheres to standard grammatical conventions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

release an arrow

Replaces "loose" with the more common and grammatically correct verb "release".

shoot an arrow

Uses the more direct and common verb "shoot" instead of "loose", simplifying the phrase.

fire an arrow

Employs "fire" as a synonym for "release", providing a slightly more forceful connotation.

discharge an arrow

Offers a more formal alternative to "loose", suitable for technical or historical contexts.

send an arrow flying

Adds a descriptive element emphasizing the arrow's trajectory.

launch an arrow

Suggests a more deliberate and forceful action of releasing the arrow.

propel an arrow

Focuses on the act of propelling the arrow forward.

draw and release an arrow

Specifies the complete action of drawing the bow and then releasing the arrow.

let fly an arrow

Uses an idiomatic expression meaning to release or discharge quickly.

loose off an arrow

Variant of the original phrase, replacing "release" with "loose off" to capture releasing the arrow with force.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "loose an arrow"?

The correct phrase is to "release an arrow". The word "loose" is an adjective meaning not tight, whereas "release" is the verb that means to let go.

What does it mean to "release an arrow"?

To "release an arrow" means to let go of the arrow from a drawn bow, propelling it towards a target. This action is fundamental to archery.

Are there other verbs I can use instead of "release an arrow"?

Yes, you can also use "shoot an arrow" or "fire an arrow", depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is "loose" ever used correctly with archery?

While "loose" is generally incorrect when referring to releasing an arrow, it can be used to describe something being not tight, such as a "loose bowstring", which would negatively affect your shot.