let loose

American  

[let loos] / ˈlɛt ˈlus /

idiom

past and past participle

let loose,

present participle

letting loose

1. to set free; release;

   They let the captured mouse loose in a field.

2. to allow to act freely (often followed byon ).

   I have my medical students practice putting IVs in me before I let them loose on patients.

3. to act in a relaxed or uninhibited way.

   It took some time to talk my dad into letting loose and playing a few games with the grandkids.

   I can be serious when I need to be, but sometimes I just need to let loose and have fun.

4. to utter or issue forcefully and suddenly (sometimes followed bywith ).

   I let loose a shriek and made a dive for the door.

   He let loose with a flurry of angry posts on the website.

5. to give way; yield.

   The guardrail let loose and we very nearly plunged over the edge.

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Example Sentences

Let loose at a punk show From there, we’ll go to Zebulon.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2025

Let loose at an all-ages dance party in the PNA Blue Building and visit participating businesses to engage in fun and colorful activities, listen to stories and music, and enjoy plays and performances.

From Seattle Times • May 31, 2024

Let loose, even, and glory in how plain she’s made things for you.

From Washington Post • Nov. 20, 2022

Let loose debris fall down and away from the earbud.

From The Verge • Nov. 9, 2021

Some god, we dimly guessed, our niggard vows Resenting, had upon Phoroneus' realm Let loose this very scourge of humankind.

From Theocritus, translated into English Verse by Theocritus

Related Words

• acquit
• clear
• discharge
• dismiss
• extricate
• pardon
• parole
• release
• relieve
• rescue
• save