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

See Examples For:

let off

But he shouldn’t be let off so easy, because he committed another sin that too many Angelenos are guilty of:

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

The Justice Department says companies aren’t being let off easy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

The tech professional is a member of Jakarta's "Playing Community", a group that gathers after work every Friday to let off steam in ways not usually associated with grown-ups.

From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026

The EU has been at odds with social media platforms over the last years, and von der Leyen made clear that age restrictions would not mean that tech companies were being "let off the hook".

From BBC ● May 12, 2026

“It was hard to think. It was hard not to let off steam. It was hard not to overindulge in all the natural activities of life.”

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik