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let off

[let] Origin

let

1[let] verb, let, let·ting, noun
verb (used with object)
1.
to allow or permit: to let him escape.
2.
to allow to pass, go, or come: to let us through.
3.
to grant the occupancy or use of (land, buildings, rooms, space, etc., or movable property) for rent or hire (sometimes followed by out).
4.
to contract or assign for performance, usually under a contract: to let work to a carpenter.
5.
to cause to; make: to let one know the truth.
EXPAND
6.
(used in the imperative as an auxiliary expressive of a request, command, warning, suggestion, etc.): Let me see. Let us go. Just let them try it!
COLLAPSE
verb (used without object)
7.
to admit of being rented or leased: The apartment lets for $100 per week.

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Let off is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
noun
8.
British. a lease.
9.
let down,
a.
to disappoint; fail.
b.
to betray; desert.
c.
to slacken; abate: We were too near success to let down in our efforts.
d.
to allow to descend slowly; lower.
e.
Aeronautics. (of an airplane) to descend from a higher to a lower altitude preparatory to making an approach and landing or a similar maneuver.
10.
let in,
a.
to admit.
b.
to involve (a person) in without his or her knowledge or permission: to let someone in for a loss.
c.
Also, let into. to insert into the surface of (a wall or the like) as a permanent addition: to let a plaque into a wall.
d.
Also, let in on. to share a secret with; permit to participate in.
11.
let off,
a.
to release by exploding.
b.
to free from duty or responsibility; excuse.
c.
to allow to go with little or no punishment; pardon: The judge let off the youthful offender with a reprimand.
12.
let on,
a.
to reveal one's true feelings: She was terrified at the prospect, but didn't let on.
b.
to pretend: They let on that they didn't care about not being invited, but I could tell that they were hurt.
13.
let out,
a.
to divulge; make known.
b.
to release from confinement, restraint, etc.
c.
to enlarge (a garment).
d.
to terminate; be finished; end: When does the university let out for the summer?
e.
to make (a let-out fur or pelt).
EXPAND
14.
let up,
a.
to slacken; diminish; abate: This heat wave should let up by the end of the week.
b.
to cease; stop: The rain let up for a few hours.
15.
let up on, to treat less severely; be more lenient with: He refused to let up on the boy until his grades improved.
COLLAPSE
16.
let alone. alone (def. 8).
17.
let be,
a.
to refrain from interference.
b.
to refrain from interfering with.
18.
let go. go (def. 82).
19.
let someone have it, Informal. to attack or assault, as by striking, shooting, or rebuking: The gunman threatened to let the teller have it if he didn't move fast.

Origin:
before 900; Middle English leten, Old English lǣtan; cognate with Dutch laten, German lassen, Old Norse lāta, Gothic lētan; akin to Greek lēdeîn to be weary, Latin lassus tired. See late


1. See allow. 1. suffer, grant. 3. lease, rent, sublet, hire.


1. prevent.


Let us is used in all varieties of speech and writing to introduce a suggestion or a request: Let us consider all the facts before deciding. The contracted form let's occurs mostly in informal speech and writing: Let's go. Let's not think about that right now. EXPANDPerhaps because let's has come to be felt as a word in its own right rather than as the contraction of let us, it is often followed in informal speech and writing by redundant or appositional pronouns: Let's us plan a picnic. Let's you and I (or me) get together tomorrow. Both Let's you and me and Let's you and I occur in the relaxed speech of educated speakers. The former conforms to the traditional rules of grammar; the latter, nonetheless, occurs more frequently. See also leave1.
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To let off
Collins
World English Dictionary
let off
 
vb
1.  (also preposition) to allow to disembark or leave
2.  to explode or fire (a bomb, gun, etc)
3.  (also preposition) to excuse from (work or other responsibilities): I'll let you off for a week
4.  to allow to get away without the expected punishment, work, etc
5.  to let (accommodation) in portions
6.  to release (liquid, air, etc)
7.  let off steam See steam
8.  let someone off with to give (a light punishment) to someone

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

let
"hindrance," 1175, from O.E. lettan "hinder, delay," from P.Gmc. *latjanan (cf. O.S. lettian "to hinder," O.N. letja "to hold back," O.H.G. lezzen "to stop, check," Goth. latjan "to hinder, make late," O.E. læt "sluggish, slow, late"); see late.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

let off

  1. Release by exploding; see blow off steam.

  2. Allow to go free or escape; excuse from punishment. For example, They let her off from attending graduation, or The headmaster let him off with a reprimand. [Early 1800s] Also see off the hook.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
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