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let go

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let go

 (with something) and cut loose (with something); let loose (with something)

1. to shout something out or expel something; to shout or express something wildly. The whole team let go with a loud shout. The audience cut loose with a loud cheer.

2. to deliver a strong verbal reprimand. Molly let loose with a tremendous scolding at Dave. Dave cut loose with a vengeful retort.

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let someone go

Euph. to fire someone. They let Jane go from her job. Fm afraid we're going to have to let you go.

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let (something) go

1. to stop having something Even though these stocks are now worthless, I can't let them go.

2. to stop trying to control something Once it's published, you can say you should have done this or that, but it's too late - you have to let it go. She kept doing the scene over until she finally let everything go, and then she did it perfectly. Family members have to learn to let go when someone is dying.

3. to not take action Some of the pictures were out of focus, but I let it go, thinking it might have been my fault and not the developers.

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let go (of somebody/something)

also let somebody/something go

to stop holding someone or something The little boy let go of the string and his balloon drifted high above the trees. He was holding onto the hand of his boss's wife, and even when his boss walked in he didn't let go.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of let someone or something go (to stop preventing someone or something from leaving)

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let somebody go

also let go somebody

to end someone's employment It was too bad that we had to let him go. The company has let go about 70 contract engineers.

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let yourself go

1. to behave in a relaxed and free manner I got out on the dance floor and just let myself go. Related vocabulary: kick back

2. to take less care of your appearance He's gained a lot of weight lately, and kind of let himself go.

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let yourself go

 

1. to relax completely and enjoy yourself It's a party - let yourself go! I think she finds it difficult to let herself go.

2. to take less care of your appearance She's really let herself go since she split up with her husband.

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let go

1. Allow to escape, set free, as in The police decided to let him go. [c. 1300]

2. Also, let go of. Release one's hold on, as in Please let go of my sleeve, or Once he starts on this subject, he never lets go. [Early 1400s]

3. let it go. Allow it to stand or be accepted. For example, Let it go; we needn't discuss it further. This usage is sometimes amplified to let it go at that, meaning "allow matters to stand as they are." [Late 1800s]

4. Cease to employ, dismiss, as in They had to let 20 workers go.

5. Also, let oneself go. Behave without restraint, abandon one's inhibitions; also, neglect one's personal hygiene and appearance. For example, When the music began, Jean let herself go and started a wild dance, or After her husband's death she let herself go, forgetting to bathe and staying in her nightgown all day . The first sense dates from the late 1800s, the second from the early 1900s.

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let go

To cease to employ; dismiss: had to let 20 workers go.

See also: let