loose off

English

Verb

loose off (third-person singular simple present looses off, present participle loosing off, simple past and past participle loosed off)

1. (transitive, intransitive, informal) to fire (a weapon, or ammunition); to shoot (using a firearm)

   They loosed off a couple of rounds at the enemy.

   • 2006, John Gimlette, Theatre of Fish: Travels Through Newfoundland and Labrador, page 225:

     More likely, it was the prospect of meat. Curwen was by now craving a juicy roast – 'even seal chop' – and was always loosing off at tickleasses and harps.

2. (transitive, archaic) to unfasten, to loosen (chains, bonds, etc.)