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
Despite criticism from human rights groups and opposing legislators – some of whom let off smoke flares in Hungary’s parliament on Tuesday – the law was passed in a 136-27 vote, with support from Orban’s party and their minority coalition partner the Christian Democrats.
—
Catherine Nicholls, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
The move came a decade after former Gov. George Ryan established a moratorium on death sentences after a string of men were let off death row after DNA evidence called their guilt into question.
Want more vintage Chicago?
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Serbian lawmakers throw smoke grenades, tear gas in parliament
Serbian opposition lawmakers let off smoke grenades and tear gas in parliament on Tuesday to protest against the government and support demonstrating students.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2025
Tangent New York Attorney General Letitia James said in December Trump won’t be let off the hook for the $454 million, plus interest, ordered in the February judgment in his civil fraud trial.
—Stephen Pastis, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for let off
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Catherine Nicholls, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
The move came a decade after former Gov. George Ryan established a moratorium on death sentences after a string of men were let off death row after DNA evidence called their guilt into question.
Want more vintage Chicago?
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Serbian lawmakers throw smoke grenades, tear gas in parliament
Serbian opposition lawmakers let off smoke grenades and tear gas in parliament on Tuesday to protest against the government and support demonstrating students.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2025
Tangent New York Attorney General Letitia James said in December Trump won’t be let off the hook for the $454 million, plus interest, ordered in the February judgment in his civil fraud trial.
—Stephen Pastis, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
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 30 Apr. 2025.
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