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
At kick-off time, the pitch was obscured by smoke, the result of dozens of flares let off in the Tribune Est of the Stade de Roudourou.
—
Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025
Owners are often advised to keep their pets indoors and in a safe place if fireworks are going to be let off in their local area, to prevent any panic in the pet.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Other men in Winehouse's life were not let off the hook either in the documentary, including Fielder-Civil and her manager Raye Cosbert.
—Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 17 May 2024
When letting off the accelerator, the vehicle will begin to decelerate.
—Mark Maynard, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024
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.
Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025
Owners are often advised to keep their pets indoors and in a safe place if fireworks are going to be let off in their local area, to prevent any panic in the pet.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Other men in Winehouse's life were not let off the hook either in the documentary, including Fielder-Civil and her manager Raye Cosbert.
—Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 17 May 2024
When letting off the accelerator, the vehicle will begin to decelerate.
—Mark Maynard, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for let off
Dictionary Entries Near let off
Cite this Entry
“Let off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/let%20off. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share