let off
phrasal verb
let off; letting off; lets off
1
: to allow (someone) to get off a bus, an airplane, etc.
Could you let me off (the bus) at the next stop, please?
The bus stopped to let off a few passengers.
2
: to allow (someone who has been caught doing something wrong or illegal) to go without being punished
The police officer let her off with just a warning.
They let him off easy/easily/lightly, if you ask me.
3
: to cause (something) to explode or to be released in a forceful way
let off a firecracker
opened the valve to let off pressure
Examples of let off in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When Ivory Coast beat Senegal in the round of 16 at last year’s tournament, Senegal fans were wearing lion masks, letting off red flares and chanting throughout.
—
Jay Harris, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
The real scandal is not that violent rioters were charged on this occasion but that they were let off on so many other occasions.
—The Editors, National Review, 22 Jan. 2025
Not even Valerie’s disclosure that George might be the target of a neurological weapon devised in violation of the Geneva Convention can convince Sheila that he should be let off the hook about anything.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
They, along with the castle, were lit up in a lovely way as the sun set while the event was underway.
12
An Extra Special Kiss
Obi kissed his bride as sparklers and colorful smoke were let off behind them.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for let off
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Jay Harris, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
The real scandal is not that violent rioters were charged on this occasion but that they were let off on so many other occasions.
—The Editors, National Review, 22 Jan. 2025
Not even Valerie’s disclosure that George might be the target of a neurological weapon devised in violation of the Geneva Convention can convince Sheila that he should be let off the hook about anything.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
They, along with the castle, were lit up in a lovely way as the sun set while the event was underway.
12
An Extra Special Kiss
Obi kissed his bride as sparklers and colorful smoke were let off behind them.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for let off
Cite this Entry
“Let off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/let%20off. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.
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