let ɒf
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- let
- Particle:
- off
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "let off" mean?
- To not punish someone or to give them a lighter punishment
- To explode or fire something
- To allow someone to get out of a vehicle
- To release gas, steam, or energy
Examples
- The judge let him off with a warning.
- The kids were letting off fireworks in the park.
- Can you let me off at the next corner?
- He let off steam by going for a run.
- She was let off because it was her first offense.
How to use it
'Let off steam' means to release tension or frustration. 'Let someone off the hook' means to free them from obligation or responsibility. Very common expressions.
Word order
For punishment: separable ('let someone off'). For explosions: separable ('let the fireworks off').
Similar expressions
excuse
pardon
explode
drop off
release
Opposites
punish
charge
pick up
Related phrasal verbs
- let down
To disappoint someone by failing to do what they expected
- let in
To allow someone or something to enter
- let out
To allow someone or something to leave
- let up
To become less intense or severe
- turn off
To stop a device or appliance by pressing a switch or button
- get off
To leave a bus, train, plane, or other public transport
Use it in a practice answer
Try "let off" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.