let off
The phrase "let off" is a versatile phrasal verb used in various contexts, including punishment, release, and avoidance of responsibilities.
Definition
B2General
(informal)To not punish someone or to give a less severe punishment than expected.
Example
- The teacher let him off with a warning instead of a detention.
- She was let off lightly for her mistake.
B2General
(British English, informal)To allow someone to avoid doing something or to release them from a responsibility.
Example
- He let us off homework today because we had a busy week.
- She was let off from attending the meeting.
C1Technical
(informal)To cause something to explode or to discharge a firearm.
Example
- The boys were letting off fireworks in the park.
- He let off a shot into the air to scare away the intruders.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "let off":
let outlet looseblow offgive offgo offlet goblow off steamshoot offcut looseloose offget offlet flylet downthrow offcome offlay offfire offgive vent toease uplet ripsqueeze offget off onset offslacken offleave offgob offtake offput outgun offsend offpull offsling offtouch offpass offcast offdo offhook offfire outlet ontoss offlighten upslack offcrack offlook offlet go by the runburn offwork offcharge offslip offhit offfly offair outflick offoff the hookwire offsee offfree uplet the devil outlet oneself gopop offloosen upgive outlet slidelash offclear offwind offcool offgo off at scoretell offput offbear off