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
Officers let off tear gas and pepper bombs.
—
Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 24 Jan. 2026
For children, playtime isn’t just about letting off a little steam — or giving their parents and teachers a break.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Henry doesn’t want to be let off the hook.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2026
In some ways, Henry gets a redemption in the end, but he isn’t let off the hook.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for let off
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Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 24 Jan. 2026
For children, playtime isn’t just about letting off a little steam — or giving their parents and teachers a break.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Henry doesn’t want to be let off the hook.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2026
In some ways, Henry gets a redemption in the end, but he isn’t let off the hook.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for let off
Cite this Entry
“Let off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/let%20off. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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