let off

To choose not to punish someone, or give them only a small punishment.

• The teacher let me off.
• The police let him off with a warning.
• Will you let her off for forgetting her homework?

How to use it: let someone off with something (The officer let her off with a warning.); let someone off for doing something (The teacher let him off for arriving late.)

Similar words: excuse, forgive, pardon

Opposites: punish

Common phrases: let off someone, let someone off

To make something explode or allow gas or liquid to escape.

• They let off fireworks outside.
• Someone let off a shot near the barn.
• Open the valve carefully to let off excess steam.

How to use it: let something off (They let several fireworks off at midnight.)

Similar words: set off, release, fire

Common phrases: let off fireworks, let off steam

To reduce pressure or effort, especially by pressing a control less firmly.

• Let off the throttle now.
• She let off the pedal as the car approached the junction.
• You should let off the accelerator while changing gears.

How to use it: let off something (Let off the accelerator before the bend.)

Similar words: ease off, release

Common phrases: let off the throttle, let off the pedal