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definitions

let the chips fall where they may

No matter what the consequences, as in I'm going to tell the truth about what happened, and let the chips fall where they may. This metaphoric term alludes to chopping wood and is usually joined to a statement that one should do what is right (that is, the woodcutter should pay attention to the main task of cutting logs and not worry about small chips). [Late 1800s]

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Nearby words

  1. let slip,
  2. let someone,
  3. let someone down,
  4. let someone have it,
  5. let the cat out of the bag,
  6. let the grass grow under one's feet,
  7. let the side down,
  8. let them eat cake,
  9. let there be light,
  10. let through
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.