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Author: Tony
Born and raised in Malaysia between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Educated at Wycliffe College in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, England. Living in the foothills of Mount Etna since 1982 and teaching English at Catania University since 1987. View all posts by Tony
sorry Tony…… as usual I think I asked a stupid question because I use: I’m a bit on hold at the moment
precisely because I have a bit to do
I don’t think there’s really much use for a ‘negative’ version of this expression, Giovanna.
hello tony i have a doubt
– I am at loose end at the moment
– Non ho niente da fare in questo momento
if i can Say:
– I am a bit of at loose end at the moment
– ho poco da fare in questo momento
can I say? : I am nothing at loose end at the moment
because I think it’s the same of: I am at loose end at the moment
thanks
Caro Lawson, seguo con interesse il suo blog linguistico… in questo caso mi permetto di fare un’aggiunta per così dire ‘etimologica’ al soggetto del giorno:
At a loose end – unoccupied. Nautically, loose ends are unattached ones which are not doing their job. “Tying up loose ends” is used to mean finalising details of a matter as a sailor makes fast the loose ends to ensure the boat is shipshape.
Hi Francesco, thanks for your addition.
In fact, “tying up loose ends” is another expression which is used quite a lot in English.