let loose

idiom

1
: to allow (someone or something) to move or go freely
He let the dogs loose in the courtyard.
cattle let loose to graze on the green fields
often used figuratively
a director who's willing to let her actors loose to interpret their roles however they see fit
how to stop the violence that has been let loose on the city
2
: to produce (something, such as a cry) in a sudden and forceful way
The crowd let loose an enormous groan when the pass was intercepted.
She let loose (with) a scream.

Examples of let loose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Not only will Caesar’s assassins be punished, but the hell of civil war will be let loose to cause widespread suffering. Rachel Hadas, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2025 Frustrations lasting 16 years were let loose in celebration as the team led by De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and coach Mike Brown ended the longest playoff drought in NBA history in the spring of 2023. Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 7 Feb. 2025 Performers sing traditional Tajik songs, while guests let loose, dancing and clapping along. Valerie Hopkins, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2024 Denver scored on an interception return and also benefited when Jonathan Taylor let loose of the ball two inches too early to turn a seeming Colts’ touchdown into another turnover. Jack Magruder, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for let loose

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Cite this Entry

“Let loose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/let%20loose. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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