at loose ends

at loose ends的音标是[əˈlʌs əndz]，基本翻译是“不知所措；没有头绪；没有目标”，速记技巧是：at表示“在……时候”，loose联想“松散”，ends联想“尽头”。

at loose ends 的词源如下：

词根：loose，意为“松散的，不牢固的”。

词缀：end，意为“末端，尽头”。

at loose ends 的意思是“不知所措，无法处理”。这个表达源于过去人们用线将物品系在一起，如果线松散到无法系紧，那就无法处理物品了。

变化形式：词形不变，只是发音和音调有所变化。

相关单词：

1. loosen（松散）：这个动词表示使物体变得松散。例句：Please loosen the tightened screw with a wrench.（请用扳手松开紧固的螺丝。）

2. unite（团结）：这个动词表示使物体连接在一起。例句：We must unite to overcome our difficulties.（我们必须团结起来克服困难。）

3. knot（结）：这个名词表示一个牢固的连接点。例句：Cut the rope at the knot to avoid getting stuck.（在绳子上剪断结头可以避免被卡住。）

4. tangle（纠缠）：这个动词和名词都表示物体纠缠在一起的状态。例句：The branches of the trees were tangled together in a mess.（树枝纠缠在一起，乱七八糟。）

5. disarray（混乱）：这个名词表示混乱无序的状态。例句：The room was in complete disarray after the party.（聚会后，房间一片混乱。）

6. disorder（无序）：这个名词表示没有秩序的状态。例句：The disorder in the warehouse caused a lot of problems for us.（仓库里的无序状态给我们带来了很多问题。）

7. entanglement（纠缠）：这个名词表示物体之间的纠缠关系。例句：They were caught in an entanglement of political issues.（他们陷入了政治问题的纠缠之中。）

8. knotted（有结的）：这个形容词表示有结的物体。例句：The rope was knotted at both ends to prevent it from unravelling.（绳子两头系了结以防它散开。）

9. untie（解开）：这个动词表示解开物体上的结。例句：I will untie the knot for you if you tell me what happened.（如果你告诉我发生了什么，我会帮你解开这个结。）

10. unknot（解开）：这个动词和名词都表示解开物体上的结。例句：She spent hours trying to unknot the knots in her hair.（她花了几个小时试图解开头发上的结。）

常用短语：

1. at a loose end

2. at the loose ends

3. at one"s own discretion

4. at one"s mercy

5. at one"s convenience

6. at one"s disposal

7. at the mercy of

例句：

1. I was at a loose end after work, not knowing what to do next.

2. The project is at loose ends because we don"t know how to finish it.

3. She was at the mercy of the wind and waves, unable to move.

4. We will do everything at our own discretion to ensure a successful outcome.

5. Please make yourself at your convenience and we will talk later.

6. You can leave it at my disposal until we figure out what to do with it.

7. The company is at the mercy of the market, which can change at any time.

英文小作文：

I am feeling at loose ends lately, with no clear direction or purpose in my life. I am wondering if I should take some time to reflect on what I really want and need in order to move forward with my life. I am feeling lost and confused, but I know that it is only temporary and that I can overcome this feeling with the right attitude and approach. I am open to new opportunities and possibilities, and I am ready to embrace them with courage and determination.