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

He needed to let off a little steam.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Stellantis parking scofflaws today don’t receive a fine and are typically let off with a warning, employees say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

And Ireland were let off the hook when Lynagh's try was ruled out because of Tommaso Menoncello's forward pass to the Benetton wing.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

A bit of “steam being let off AI-related names opens up the trade to more individuals coming in,” said Pavlik at Dakota Wealth.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 10, 2025

Way back in the 1980s, when the first bond trader was let off his leash and lost hundreds of millions of dollars, Merrill was there to take the hit.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis