let loose

phrase

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.
Though the 2026 Emmys saw plenty of celebrities mingling in the VIP section, the after-parties were where the stars let loose and caught up with their industry pals. — Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026 Far enough from the blast radius of champagne spritzes and exploding beers, the reliever, signed in late August, watched his new teammates let loose. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 2026 Plus, the film shows a pack of beagles let loose, drag nuns taking a smoke break – and much more. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 Though the year-plus-long story line also involved a replacement Batman proving far too lethal to be let loose on Gotham for long, and the original Batman going on a soul-searching quest, what most remember is Bane and Batman’s poor, poor spine. — Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026 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 29 Sep. 2026.

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