let off
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
Members of the River Guard remained in the stands long after the final whistle, chanting and letting off purple smoke bombs before making their way over to the beer garden for further post-game celebrations. —
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2026 Later, Austin lets off some steam by doing shoulder presses. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026 For families and pets Acres of garden in which kids can let off steam is not the only family-friendly feature of the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026 Across a two-hour practice featuring dozens upon dozens of plays, even the best players suffer a misstep, a mental lapse or let off the gas for a moment. —Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for let off
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.
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 19 Apr. 2026 Later, Austin lets off some steam by doing shoulder presses. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026 For families and pets Acres of garden in which kids can let off steam is not the only family-friendly feature of the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026 Across a two-hour practice featuring dozens upon dozens of plays, even the best players suffer a misstep, a mental lapse or let off the gas for a moment. —Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for let off
Cite this Entry
“Let off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/let%20off. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
