How to Memorize

tie up the loose ends to complete the deal

Analysis

'Loose ends' are pieces of thread that are visible after sewing something. When you 'tie up loose ends' it means to finish or complete small things that are the result of a previous action or which have been incompleted. This is an idiomatic expression used in both professional and social contexts. Similar in meaning to 'dot the Is and cross the Ts', or 'bring to a close'. If you 'leave no loose ends' it means to avoid leaving any small tasks unfinished. If you say 'there are still a few loose ends' you mean there are a few things left to address or to deal with.

Social Examples (Basic)

1. Sergio needed to tie up a few loose ends before he moved back to Spain. That included closing his Irish bank account and returning the keys of the house he'd been renting to the landlord.
2. I need to tie up a few loose ends here before I can leave work.
3. All the paperwork is almost complete we just need to tie up a few loose ends and the house is ours.

Professional Examples (Basic)

1. We've nearly completed the deal, there are just a few loose ends that need to be tied up before the contract can be signed.
2. The merger is expected to be announced as soon as the legal team have finished tying up all the loose ends.

Further Suggestions