let aʊt
neutral
beginner
- Base verb:
- let
- Particle:
- out
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "let out" mean?
- To allow someone or something to leave
- To make a sound such as a cry or shout
- To make clothing larger
- To reveal a secret
Examples
- Can you let the dog out?
- She let out a scream when she saw the spider.
- I need to let out my pants; they're too tight.
- Who let out the news about the merger?
- School lets out at 3 PM.
How to use it
'Let the cat out of the bag' means to reveal a secret accidentally. 'Let out' for classes/events means the scheduled end time.
Word order
Object can go between: 'let the cat out' or after: 'let out the cat'. For sounds: 'let out a cry'.
Similar expressions
release
emit
enlarge
reveal
Opposites
let in
keep
tighten
conceal
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 off
To not punish someone or to give them a lighter punishment
- let up
To become less intense or severe
- get out
To leave a place, room, or vehicle
- turn out
To have a particular result or end in a certain way
Use it in a practice answer
Try "let out" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.