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 figurativelya 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
Leyden also said that Maryland law does not distinguish domestic animals from wild ones, and that prosecutors believe there should be a higher penalty for those who mistreat — or let loose — exotic creatures in the state.
—
Katie Mettler, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
Once a campaign is let loose into that ecosystem, there’s not much control over its trajectory or reception.
—Karen Idelson, Variety, 25 Oct. 2023
Lee was known to work long hours, then let loose afterward in the neon lights and thumping bass at venues across the city’s SoMa and Marina neighborhoods.
—Albert Samaha, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2023
The bride even changed into a chic mini-gown, sneakers, and a grill with her new last name on it (Willis) to truly let loose!
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 20 Oct. 2023
At the gravesite, a health-care provider suddenly let loose on the elderly widower, degrading him about his lack of caring for his wife.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2023
Within the last year, minks have also been let loose from farms in Ohio and Wisconsin that breed minks for their fur.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023
Buffett, who had a lifelong love of New Orleans, often compared his tours and music to Mardi Gras, where people could come to blow off steam or let loose before returning to real life.
—Kim Bellware, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Sep. 2023
Old Mill 34, Annapolis 12: The Patriots let loose in the second to open the season 1-0.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2023
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Katie Mettler, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023
Once a campaign is let loose into that ecosystem, there’s not much control over its trajectory or reception.
—Karen Idelson, Variety, 25 Oct. 2023
Lee was known to work long hours, then let loose afterward in the neon lights and thumping bass at venues across the city’s SoMa and Marina neighborhoods.
—Albert Samaha, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2023
The bride even changed into a chic mini-gown, sneakers, and a grill with her new last name on it (Willis) to truly let loose!
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 20 Oct. 2023
At the gravesite, a health-care provider suddenly let loose on the elderly widower, degrading him about his lack of caring for his wife.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2023
Within the last year, minks have also been let loose from farms in Ohio and Wisconsin that breed minks for their fur.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023
Buffett, who had a lifelong love of New Orleans, often compared his tours and music to Mardi Gras, where people could come to blow off steam or let loose before returning to real life.
—Kim Bellware, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Sep. 2023
Old Mill 34, Annapolis 12: The Patriots let loose in the second to open the season 1-0.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'let loose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Let loose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/let%20loose. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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