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
The same system that used its prosecutorial discretion to charge him with dozens of felonies when his opponents were let off the hook for similar offenses.
—
Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2024
But in the speech decrying the prosecutor who tried Donald Trump in the Stormy Daniels hush money case, Brame incorrectly claimed that her son’s killers were let off the hook.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 17 July 2024
He’s also been accused of firing at the victim for a second time, as his accomplice allegedly let off two shots, as well.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 15 July 2024
Georgia’s 2-0 win over Portugal in their final group match drew people out onto the streets, waving national flags from car windows and letting off fireworks.
—Reuters, NBC News, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for let off 
Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2024
But in the speech decrying the prosecutor who tried Donald Trump in the Stormy Daniels hush money case, Brame incorrectly claimed that her son’s killers were let off the hook.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 17 July 2024
He’s also been accused of firing at the victim for a second time, as his accomplice allegedly let off two shots, as well.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 15 July 2024
Georgia’s 2-0 win over Portugal in their final group match drew people out onto the streets, waving national flags from car windows and letting off fireworks.
—Reuters, NBC News, 27 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for let off
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'let off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 27 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share