Synonyms

let off

British

verb

(also preposition) to allow to disembark or leave
to explode or fire (a bomb, gun, etc)
(also preposition) to excuse from (work or other responsibilities)

I'll let you off for a week
to allow to get away without the expected punishment, work, etc
to let (accommodation) in portions
to release (liquid, air, etc)
See steam
to give (a light punishment) to someone

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

let off Idioms

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

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

Lyon were awarded a spot-kick shortly after half-time but former Arsenal man Ainsley Maitland-Niles failed to beat goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf from 12 yards as Nice were let off.

From Barron's • Oct. 18, 2025

Everyone was let off from work at twelve o’clock to practice for the Singing.

From "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023