let off

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

Idioms and Phrases

Release by exploding; see blow off steam .

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 .

Example Sentences

Others counter that rank-and-file cops who commit misconduct are routinely let off the hook.

From Los Angeles Times

In between the stops and restarts, they both wittily let off steam about the absurdity of the process.

From Los Angeles Times

But Servette pulled two goals back and, after a delay in the game as fireworks were let off, the hosts almost scored in the 94th minute to force extra time.

From BBC

For Reader, this showed "they weren't arguing this was a silly tweet and she should be let off - her own counsel agreed this was a serious issue".

From BBC

She realized she needed to let off steam in a way she rarely does.

From Los Angeles Times