Crossword Genius

Figure entertaining both ladies and gents for free (2,3,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

on the loose

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'free' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'figure entertaining both ladies and gents' is the wordplay.
'figure' becomes 'one' (a numerical figure).
'entertaining' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'both' becomes 'the' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ladies and gents' becomes 'loos' (toilets).
'the'+'loos'='theloos'
'one' placed around 'theloos' is 'ON THE LOOSE'.

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for on the loose that I've seen before include "Free from confinement" , "Off the leash" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app