let off

British  

verb

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. See steam

8. to give (a light punishment) to someone

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let off Idioms  

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 .

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Example Sentences

Let off for the Azzurri who were scrambling back into position.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2024

Let off the leash in the Sporting midfield with William Carvalho and Rodrigo Battaglia behind him, Fernandes came into his own in the attacking realm.

From The Guardian • Jan. 30, 2020

Let off the pedals, and the electric assist cuts out, so you can coast or apply the brakes.

From Slate • Nov. 26, 2013

"Let off some steam," he snarls--not exactly Noel Coward wit, but it is one of Schwarzenegger's favorite lines in the script.

From Time Magazine Archive

Let off the reata, walk close to this man.

From The Covered Wagon by Hough, Emerson