let
1to allow or permit: If we let him escape, he'll lead us to the boss.
to allow to pass, go, or come: The gap is too narrow to let the car through.
to grant the occupancy or use of (land, buildings, rooms, space, etc., or movable property) for rent or hire (sometimes followed by out): The family lets out their spare room in the summer for extra money.
to contract or assign for performance, usually under a contract: They let work to a local carpenter for the repairs.
to cause to; make: You must let her know the truth of your circumstances if you want to marry her.
(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!
to be rented or leased: The apartment lets for $250 per week.
British. a lease.
let down,
let in,
to admit.
to involve (a person) in something without their knowledge or permission: to let someone in for a loss.
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.
Also let in on. to share a secret with; permit to participate in.
let off,
to release by exploding.
to free from duty or responsibility; excuse.
to allow to go with little or no punishment; pardon: The judge let off the youthful offender with a reprimand.
let on,
to reveal one's true feelings: She was terrified at the prospect, but didn't let on.
to pretend: They let on that they didn't care about not being invited, but I could tell that they were hurt.
let out,
to divulge; make known.
to release from confinement, restraint, etc.
to enlarge (a garment).
to terminate; be finished; end: When does the university let out for the summer?
to make (a let-out fur or pelt).
let up,
to cease; stop: The rain let up for a few hours.
let up on, to treat less severely; be more lenient with: He refused to let up on the boy until his grades improved.
Idioms about let
let alone,
not to mention: He was too tired to walk, let alone run.
Also leave alone . to refrain from annoying or interfering with.
let be,
to refrain from interference.
to refrain from interfering with.
let go. go1 (def. 95).
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.
let well enough alone. alone (def. 8).
Origin of let
1usage note For let
Other words for let
Opposites for let
Other definitions for let (2 of 3)
(in tennis, badminton, etc.) any play that is voided and must be replayed, especially a service that hits the net and drops into the proper part of the opponent's court.
Chiefly Law. an impediment or obstacle: to act without let or hindrance.
Archaic. to hinder, prevent, or obstruct.
Origin of let
2Other definitions for -let (3 of 3)
a diminutive suffix attached to nouns (booklet; piglet; ringlet), and, by extraction from bracelet, a suffix denoting a band, piece of jewelry, or article of clothing worn on the part of the body specified by the noun (anklet; wristlet).
Origin of -let
3Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use let in a sentence
This entire ordeal reeks of bureaucratic overreach being bandied about in the name of “let-us-save-the-children” politics.
The University Of New Orleans’ Cigarette Ban Is Total BS | Chloé Valdary | October 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTUh, what part of last-team-to-let-Tim-Tebow-go are you not understanding, non-believers?
The White House just had to scratch it out with a real strategy and a never-let-go attitude.
Memo: The Aaron Sorkin Model of Political Discourse Doesn't Actually Work | Megan McArdle | April 23, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThe jukebox blasts “Aquarius/let the Sunshine In” by the 5th Dimension.
Beyond that, Wallace spoke openly about his struggles with depression well before we entered the let-it-all-hang-out culture.
Howard Kurtz Remembers Mike Wallace, Legendary CBS Newsman, Dead at 93 | Howard Kurtz | April 8, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Further, why not sub-let the flat to any of your own friends who can afford to give you a few guineas a week for it?
Mr. O'Connell was, in fact, "a middle man;" he rented extensive lands, and sub-let at a very large profit.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III. | E. Farr and E. H. NolanBurmans love it, and no feast is complete without it, indeed a packet of let-pet is an invitation to something festive.
Round the Wonderful World | G. E. MittonAt one place it is let-pet, or pickled tea, though the plant from which the stuff is made is not really a tea-plant.
Round the Wonderful World | G. E. MittonAll was serene and lovely on the surface, however, with many won't-you-let-me's and please-do-now's on both sides.
The "Genius" | Theodore Dreiser
British Dictionary definitions for let (1 of 3)
/ (lɛt) /
to permit; allow: she lets him roam around
(imperative or dependent imperative)
used as an auxiliary to express a request, proposal, or command, or to convey a warning or threat: let's get on; just let me catch you here again!
(in mathematical or philosophical discourse) used as an auxiliary to express an assumption or hypothesis: let "a" equal "b"
used as an auxiliary to express resigned acceptance of the inevitable: let the worst happen
to allow the occupation of (accommodation) in return for rent
to assign (a contract for work)
to allow or cause the movement of (something) in a specified direction: to let air out of a tyre
Irish informal to utter: to let a cry
let alone
(conjunction) much less; not to mention: I can't afford wine, let alone champagne
let be, leave alone or leave be to refrain from annoying or interfering with: let the poor cat alone
let go See go 1 (def. 59)
let loose
to set free
informal to make (a sound or remark) suddenly: he let loose a hollow laugh
informal to discharge (rounds) from a gun or guns: they let loose a couple of rounds of ammunition
British the act of letting property or accommodation: the majority of new lets are covered by the rent regulations
Origin of let
1British Dictionary definitions for let (2 of 3)
/ (lɛt) /
an impediment or obstruction (esp in the phrase without let or hindrance)
tennis squash
a minor infringement or obstruction of the ball, requiring a point to be replayed
the point so replayed
(tr) archaic to hinder; impede
Origin of let
2British Dictionary definitions for -let (3 of 3)
small or lesser: booklet; starlet
an article of attire or ornament worn on a specified part of the body: anklet
Origin of -let
3Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with let
In addition to the idioms beginning with let
- let alone
- let be
- let bygones be bygones
- let daylight through or into
- let down
- let down easy
- let down one's hair
- let drop
- let fly
- let go
- let grass grow
- let in on
- let it all hang out
- let it lay
- let it rip
- let me see
- let off
- let off steam
- let on
- let oneself go
- let one's hair down
- let out
- let ride
- let sleeping dogs lie
- let slide
- let slip
- let someone
- let someone down
- let someone have it
- let the cat out of the bag
- let the chips fall where they may
- let the grass grow under one's feet
- let the side down
- let up
- let well enough alone
also see:
- blow (let) off steam
- give (let) someone have his or her head
- (let someone) have it
- live and let live
Also see underleave.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse