1let 
/ˈlɛt/ verb
lets; let; let·ting /ˈlɛt/ verb 1 [+ obj] : to allow or permit (someone or something) to do something
▪ Let them go. ▪ I'll be happy to help you if you'll let me (help you). ▪ A break in the clouds let us see the summit. [=made it possible for us to see the summit] ▪ Don't let this opportunity slip away! ▪ Let me see the bruise. ▪ I don't believe in letting children do whatever they want to do. = I don't believe that people should let children do whatever they want to do. ▪ My philosophy is “Live and let live.” [=live your life as you choose and let other people do the same] 2 [+ obj] a — used in speech when you are making a polite offer to help someone ▪ Let me help you with those packages. [=I would be happy to help you with those packages] ▪ Let me do that for you.
b — used to introduce a polite statement or request ▪ Let me begin by saying how happy I am to see you here today. [=I want to begin by saying how happy I am to see you] ▪ Please let me know [=tell me] what you decide.
c formal — used to introduce a command ▪ “The ambassadors have arrived, your Majesty.” “Let them not wait a moment longer: let them enter at once.” ▪ Let there be music and laughter! — sometimes used figuratively in a way that is not formal ▪ Let it rain all day—I don't care.
d — used to express a warning ▪ Just let her try to do it again! [=she will be in trouble if she tries to do it again] 3 a ◊Let's and (more formally) let us are used to introduce statements that express a wish, request, suggestion, or command.
▪ Let's [=let us] hope for the best. [=we should hope for the best] ▪ Let's imagine what the world would be like with no war. ▪ Let's suppose that he's right. What then? ▪ Let's get out of here! ▪ Let us all remember [=we should all remember] just how much we have to be thankful for. ▪ I'm not calling her a liar. Let's just say that she tends to exaggerate the truth a little. ▪ Let's see what's on the menu. = Let's have a look at the menu. ▪ “Let's go, shall we?” [=shall we go?] “Yes, let's.” ▪ “Let's go.” “No, let's not.” ▪ Let's not go. = (Brit) Don't let's go. = (US, informal) Let's don't go.
b ◊The phrase let's go is used in speech to tell someone to go or work faster.
▪ Are you still getting dressed? Let's go! We need to leave in five minutes!
c ◊The phrase let us pray is used to introduce a prayer.
▪ Let us pray. Dear God, we thank you for this day…
d ◊The phrases let's face it and let's be honest are used to say that something is true and cannot be denied.
▪ Let's face it: we need more time. ▪ Let's be honest, those two were never right for each other. 4 a [+ obj] : to allow someone to use (something) in return for payment : rent
▪ They have rooms to let. [=rooms that people can rent to live in]
b [no obj] chiefly Brit : to be rented or leased for a specified amount of money
▪ The flat lets [=rents] for 350 pounds a month. 5 always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] : to allow (someone or something) to go, pass by, etc.
▪ Let me out! ▪ She locked the door and refused to let him in. ▪ The guard refused to let us through the gate. ▪ Let me through/past! [=let me move through a group of people, past a barrier, etc.]
▪ Let them go. ▪ I'll be happy to help you if you'll let me (help you). ▪ A break in the clouds let us see the summit. [=made it possible for us to see the summit] ▪ Don't let this opportunity slip away! ▪ Let me see the bruise. ▪ I don't believe in letting children do whatever they want to do. = I don't believe that people should let children do whatever they want to do. ▪ My philosophy is “Live and let live.” [=live your life as you choose and let other people do the same]
usage Let is followed by a verb that has the form of the infinitive without to.
▪ They let him speak. [=they allowed/permitted him to speak] Let is never used as be let; use be allowed or be permitted instead. ▪ They let him speak. [=he was allowed/permitted by them to speak]
▪ They let him speak. [=they allowed/permitted him to speak] Let is never used as be let; use be allowed or be permitted instead. ▪ They let him speak. [=he was allowed/permitted by them to speak]
b — used to introduce a polite statement or request ▪ Let me begin by saying how happy I am to see you here today. [=I want to begin by saying how happy I am to see you] ▪ Please let me know [=tell me] what you decide.
c formal — used to introduce a command ▪ “The ambassadors have arrived, your Majesty.” “Let them not wait a moment longer: let them enter at once.” ▪ Let there be music and laughter! — sometimes used figuratively in a way that is not formal ▪ Let it rain all day—I don't care.
d — used to express a warning ▪ Just let her try to do it again! [=she will be in trouble if she tries to do it again]
▪ Let's [=let us] hope for the best. [=we should hope for the best] ▪ Let's imagine what the world would be like with no war. ▪ Let's suppose that he's right. What then? ▪ Let's get out of here! ▪ Let us all remember [=we should all remember] just how much we have to be thankful for. ▪ I'm not calling her a liar. Let's just say that she tends to exaggerate the truth a little. ▪ Let's see what's on the menu. = Let's have a look at the menu. ▪ “Let's go, shall we?” [=shall we go?] “Yes, let's.” ▪ “Let's go.” “No, let's not.” ▪ Let's not go. = (Brit) Don't let's go. = (US, informal) Let's don't go.
b ◊The phrase let's go is used in speech to tell someone to go or work faster.
▪ Are you still getting dressed? Let's go! We need to leave in five minutes!
c ◊The phrase let us pray is used to introduce a prayer.
▪ Let us pray. Dear God, we thank you for this day…
d ◊The phrases let's face it and let's be honest are used to say that something is true and cannot be denied.
▪ Let's face it: we need more time. ▪ Let's be honest, those two were never right for each other.
▪ They have rooms to let. [=rooms that people can rent to live in]
b [no obj] chiefly Brit : to be rented or leased for a specified amount of money
▪ The flat lets [=rents] for 350 pounds a month.
▪ Let me out! ▪ She locked the door and refused to let him in. ▪ The guard refused to let us through the gate. ▪ Let me through/past! [=let me move through a group of people, past a barrier, etc.]
let alone 1 — used to refer to something that is even less likely or possible than the thing previously mentioned ▪ I can barely understand it, let alone explain it. 2 let (someone or something) alone : to not bother or touch (someone or something)
▪ Let [=(more commonly) leave] your sister alone. ▪ All I ask is to be let alone. [=(more commonly) left alone] ▪ Would you please let it alone? ▪ I never did learn to let well enough alone. [=to leave well enough alone; to stop changing something that is already good enough]
▪ Let [=(more commonly) leave] your sister alone. ▪ All I ask is to be let alone. [=(more commonly) left alone] ▪ Would you please let it alone? ▪ I never did learn to let well enough alone. [=to leave well enough alone; to stop changing something that is already good enough]
let bygones be bygones — see bygones
let down [phrasal verb] 1 let (someone) down a : to fail to give help or support to (someone who needs or expects it) : disappoint
▪ I promised Mary that I'd help her, and I can't let her down. ▪ It's my fault we lost the game. I let the team down. ▪ He never lets down a friend in need. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ His judgment let him down. [=his judgment was poor; he made a bad decision]
b : to make (someone) unhappy or displeased by not being as good as expected
▪ The end of the story really let me down. = I felt let down by the end of the story. [=the end of the story was disappointing] — see also letdown 2 ◊To let someone down easy/gently is to give someone unpleasant news in a gentle or kind way.
▪ She tried to let him down gently when she told him he didn't get the job. ▪ I knew I had to fire her, but I was trying to think of a way to let her down easy. 3 let (something) down or let down (something) a : to cause or allow (something) to move down gradually
▪ let a bucket down into a well = let down a bucket into a well
b : to make (a skirt, a pair of pants, etc.) longer
▪ The pants were a little too short and needed to be let down a little. — see also let your hair down at hair
▪ I promised Mary that I'd help her, and I can't let her down. ▪ It's my fault we lost the game. I let the team down. ▪ He never lets down a friend in need. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ His judgment let him down. [=his judgment was poor; he made a bad decision]
b : to make (someone) unhappy or displeased by not being as good as expected
▪ The end of the story really let me down. = I felt let down by the end of the story. [=the end of the story was disappointing] — see also letdown
▪ She tried to let him down gently when she told him he didn't get the job. ▪ I knew I had to fire her, but I was trying to think of a way to let her down easy.
▪ let a bucket down into a well = let down a bucket into a well
b : to make (a skirt, a pair of pants, etc.) longer
▪ The pants were a little too short and needed to be let down a little. — see also let your hair down at hair
let go 1 or let (something or someone) go or let go of (something or someone) or let go (something or someone) : to stop holding or gripping something or someone
▪ I tried to take the ball from him, but he wouldn't let go. ▪ She grabbed my hand and refused to let go. ▪ He let the rope go. = He let go of the rope. = (less commonly) He let go the rope. — often used figuratively ▪ When a child grows up and moves away from home, it can be hard for parents to let go. [=to allow the child to live independently; to not be too involved in the child's decisions, actions, etc.] ▪ I know she disappointed you, but you need to let the past go and move on with your life. [=you need to stop caring or thinking about the past] ▪ You need to let go of the past. ▪ She felt she had been treated wrongly, and she wasn't willing to let it go. [=she wasn't willing to forget how she had been treated] ▪ You're late. I'll let it go this time, but it had better not happen again. ▪ The car is probably worth a lot more, but she agreed to let it go for five thousand dollars. [=she agreed to sell the car for five thousand dollars] 2 or let (yourself) go : to behave in a very free and open way
▪ He really lets go when he's out partying with his friends. ▪ She has a hard time relaxing and letting herself go. 3 let (someone) go a : to allow (someone who is being held as a slave, prisoner, etc.) to be free
▪ They let the prisoner go. = The prisoner was let go.
b : to officially make (someone) leave a job
▪ The company let him go at the end of the month. = He was let go at the end of the month. 4 let (yourself) go : to fail to take care of (yourself)
▪ I was very depressed back then and had really let myself go. [=I had stopped taking care of myself]
▪ I tried to take the ball from him, but he wouldn't let go. ▪ She grabbed my hand and refused to let go. ▪ He let the rope go. = He let go of the rope. = (less commonly) He let go the rope. — often used figuratively ▪ When a child grows up and moves away from home, it can be hard for parents to let go. [=to allow the child to live independently; to not be too involved in the child's decisions, actions, etc.] ▪ I know she disappointed you, but you need to let the past go and move on with your life. [=you need to stop caring or thinking about the past] ▪ You need to let go of the past. ▪ She felt she had been treated wrongly, and she wasn't willing to let it go. [=she wasn't willing to forget how she had been treated] ▪ You're late. I'll let it go this time, but it had better not happen again. ▪ The car is probably worth a lot more, but she agreed to let it go for five thousand dollars. [=she agreed to sell the car for five thousand dollars]
▪ He really lets go when he's out partying with his friends. ▪ She has a hard time relaxing and letting herself go.
▪ They let the prisoner go. = The prisoner was let go.
b : to officially make (someone) leave a job
▪ The company let him go at the end of the month. = He was let go at the end of the month.
▪ I was very depressed back then and had really let myself go. [=I had stopped taking care of myself]
let it all hang out
informal : to show your true feelings : to behave in a very free and open way
▪ When I'm with my friends, I let it all hang out.
▪ When I'm with my friends, I let it all hang out.
let loose — see 1loose
let me see or let's see or let me think
— used in speech by someone who is trying to remember something ▪ Let me see, where did I put my keys? ▪ Let's see, how long did it take last time? ▪ What was the name of that restaurant? Let me think. Oh, that's right: “The High Street Café.”
let off [phrasal verb] 1 let (someone) off or let off (someone) : 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 let (someone) off : 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. [=I do not think he was punished as severely as he could/should have been] — often used in the phrase let (someone) off the hook ▪ If you ask me, they let him off the hook too easily. 3 let off (something) : to cause (something) to explode or to be released in a forceful way
▪ let off [=set off] a firecracker ▪ let off pressure — see also let off (some) steam at 1steam
▪ Could you let me off (the bus) at the next stop, please? ▪ The bus stopped to let off a few passengers.
▪ The police officer let her off with just a warning. ▪ They let him off easy/easily/lightly, if you ask me. [=I do not think he was punished as severely as he could/should have been] — often used in the phrase let (someone) off the hook ▪ If you ask me, they let him off the hook too easily.
▪ let off [=set off] a firecracker ▪ let off pressure — see also let off (some) steam at 1steam
let on [phrasal verb] 1 let (someone) on or let on (someone) : to allow (someone) to get on a bus, an airplane, etc.
▪ They let passengers with small children on (the airplane) first. ▪ The bus stopped to let on a few more passengers. 2 let on or let on (something) informal : to tell, admit, or show that you know something
▪ He knows a lot more than he lets on. ▪ Don't let on that I told you! ▪ She was unhappy, but she never let on. = She never let on to anyone that she was unhappy. [=she never showed or told anyone that she was unhappy] 3 US, informal : to pretend or seem
▪ She's not as happy as she lets on.
▪ They let passengers with small children on (the airplane) first. ▪ The bus stopped to let on a few more passengers.
▪ He knows a lot more than he lets on. ▪ Don't let on that I told you! ▪ She was unhappy, but she never let on. = She never let on to anyone that she was unhappy. [=she never showed or told anyone that she was unhappy]
▪ She's not as happy as she lets on.
let out [phrasal verb] 1 let (something or someone) out or let out (something or someone) : to release (something or someone)
▪ She let out a scream. [=she screamed] ▪ They let the prisoner out (of prison) for the weekend. = The prisoner was let out for the weekend. ▪ Let the clutch out slowly. — see also letout 2 let (something) out or let out (something) : to make (a shirt, a pair of pants, etc.) larger
▪ The skirt is too tight and needs to be let out a little. ▪ let out a pair of pants — opposite take in at 1take 3 US, of a school : to end a semester, year, or session
▪ School lets out in June.
▪ She let out a scream. [=she screamed] ▪ They let the prisoner out (of prison) for the weekend. = The prisoner was let out for the weekend. ▪ Let the clutch out slowly. — see also letout
▪ The skirt is too tight and needs to be let out a little. ▪ let out a pair of pants — opposite take in at 1take
▪ School lets out in June.
let rip — see 1rip
let sleeping dogs lie — see 1dog
let (someone) have it
informal : to attack, punish, or criticize (someone) in a violent or angry way
▪ When she found out what they'd been doing, she really let them have it.
▪ When she found out what they'd been doing, she really let them have it.
let (someone) in on (something)
: to allow (someone) to know (a secret)
▪ He said he'd let me in on a secret if I promised not to tell anyone else.
▪ He said he'd let me in on a secret if I promised not to tell anyone else.
let (someone) know — see 1know
let (someone or something) be
: to not bother or touch (someone or something)
▪ Please let [=leave] me be.
▪ Please let [=leave] me be.
let (something) be known — see 1know
let the cat out of the bag — see cat
let the grass grow under your feet — see 1grass
let up [phrasal verb] 1 : to stop or become slower
▪ Won't this rain ever let up? ▪ There's a lot of work still to be done. We can't let up now. — see also letup 2 let up on (someone) : to treat (someone) in a less harsh or demanding way
▪ The students might respond better if the teacher let up on [=eased up on] them a little. 3 let up on (something) : to apply less pressure to (something)
▪ I let up on [=eased up on] the gas pedal.
▪ Won't this rain ever let up? ▪ There's a lot of work still to be done. We can't let up now. — see also letup
▪ The students might respond better if the teacher let up on [=eased up on] them a little.
▪ I let up on [=eased up on] the gas pedal.
let (yourself) in for
: to cause (yourself) to have or experience (something bad or unpleasant)
▪ She's letting herself in for a lot of trouble/criticism. ▪ When I agreed to help, I didn't know what I was letting myself in for. [=getting myself into]
▪ She's letting herself in for a lot of trouble/criticism. ▪ When I agreed to help, I didn't know what I was letting myself in for. [=getting myself into]
