The phrase "works loose" is commonly heard in everyday conversation. The IPA phonetic transcription helps explain the spelling of this word. /wəːks luːs/ indicates that the first syllable rhymes with "jerks" and the second syllable rhymes with "juice". The "ks" in "works" refers to the silent letter "k" and "s" sounds. "Loose" is spelled as it sounds, with a long "oo" sound and a soft "s" ending. Together, "works loose" means something is becoming less secure or firm.
"Works loose" is an idiomatic phrase used to describe a situation in which an object or a component becomes unfastened, dislodged, or unsecured due to constant movement or use. When something "works loose," it suggests that it was initially firmly secured but has gradually become less tightly fixed over time.
This phrase commonly refers to mechanical or physical objects that experience wear and tear, leading to their elements slowly coming apart or becoming less stable. For instance, imagine a bolt or a screw that gradually becomes unscrewed due to vibrations or repeated rotations. In this case, the bolt is said to "work loose" because it is no longer tightly attached as before.
"Works loose" can also apply more broadly, beyond mechanical objects. It can be used to describe situations where a concept or idea loses its firmness or stability. For example, a previously firmly held belief may "work loose" when subjected to contrasting or challenging opinions, causing one to question its validity.
Ultimately, "works loose" conveys the idea of gradual or incremental deterioration or loosening of something that was initially secure or tightly fastened. It signifies a state of becoming less stable, secure, or fixed over time, either physically or metaphorically.
The phrase "works loose" does not have a specific etymology since it is a combination of two separate words. However, we can look at the etymology of each word individually:
1. "Works": This word comes from Middle English "werken" and Old English "wyrcan". Both are derived from the Proto-Germanic word "wurkjanan" meaning "to work" or "to perform". It can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "werg-" meaning "to do" or "to make".
2. "Loose": This word comes from Old Norse "lauss" and Middle English "lous". It is related to the Old High German "lōs" and the Old Frisian "los". Ultimately, it can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "lausaz" meaning "loose" or "free".