A noose is a circular loop at the end of a piece of rope or wire. A noose is tied with a knot that allows it to be tightened, and it is usually used to trap animals or hang people.
2. countable noun [usually with supplement]
You can refer to something that traps people in a difficult situation as a noose around their neck.
The rebels are tightening the noose around the capital.
noose in British English
(nuːs)
noun
1.
a loop in the end of a rope or cord, such as a lasso, snare, or hangman's halter, usually tied with a slipknot
2.
something that restrains, binds, or traps
3. put one's head in a noose
verb(transitive)
4.
to secure or catch in or as if in a noose
5.
to make a noose of or in
Word origin
C15: perhaps from Provençal nous, from Latin nōdusnode
noose in American English
(nus)
noun
1.
a loop formed in a rope, cord, etc. by means of a slipknot so that the loop tightens as the rope is pulled
2.
anything that restricts one's freedom; tie, bond, snare, trap, etc.
verb transitiveWord forms: noosed or ˈnoosing
3.
to catch or hold in a noose; trap, ensnare, etc.
4.
to form a noose in or of (a rope, cord, etc.)
Idioms:
the noose
Word origin
ME nose, prob. via Prov nous < L nodus, knot, node
More idioms containing
noose
put your head in a noose
Examples of 'noose' in a sentence
noose
The feeling is strongest in the cells where condemned men and women spent their last hours waiting for the hangman 's noose.
The Sun (2016)
Western optimists claim the rebel army is slowly tightening the noose around the capital.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The silver medal hung around his neck like a noose.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
So why are people deciding to put a virtual noose around their online necks?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Now they are a noose around my neck.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
If they sensed something alive and kicking the noose was put on hold.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Can classical music escape the noose?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The hangman 's noose can be returned to the drawer.
The Sun (2010)
As it is, the noose is tightening.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He is then blindfolded and has a hangman 's noose placed around his neck.
The Sun (2009)
Anything less than victory and the hangman's noose could tighten.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He deserves to have have his worthless neck snapped by the hangman 's noose.
The Sun (2012)
A noose hangs outside the pub over the river as a reminder of its grisly past.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Can he escape the noose?
The Sun (2015)
Now, as the form team, they have escaped the noose and taken on the role of executioner.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
noose
British English: noose NOUN
A noose is a circular loop at the end of a piece of rope or wire. A noose is tied with a knot that allows it to be tightened, and it is usually used to trap animals or hang people.
...a horrifying videotape of a man swinging from a noose.