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let off

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let someone (get) off (something)

to permit someone to disembark, dismount, or leave something. Please move and let me get off the bus. Let her off!

See also: let, off

let someone off (easy)

 and let someone off

to release or dismiss someone without punishment. The judge didn't let me off easy. The judge let off Mary with a warning.

See also: let, off

let something off

to release something; to give something off. The engine let some evil smelling smoke off. The flower let off a wonderful smell.

See also: let, off

let somebody off

to not punish someone The judge let the boys off because they hadn't ever been in trouble before.

Related vocabulary: off the hook

See also: let, off

let off

1. Release by exploding; see blow off steam.

2. Allow to go free or escape; excuse from punishment. For example, They let her off from attending graduation, or The headmaster let him off with a reprimand. [Early 1800s] Also see off the hook.

See also: let, off

let off

v.

1. To allow someone to disembark from a vehicle: My house is just down the street, but you can let me off at the corner. The bus driver let off the passengers at the terminal.

2. To excuse or pardon someone from something unpleasant, as punishment or work: I'm going to let you off this once, but if I catch you cheating again, you're going to be expelled. The police arrested the leader and let off the rest of the gang with only a warning.

3. To emit something, as heat, gas, or sound: The stove lets off a lot of heat.

4. To detonate or discharge something: The police officer let off a warning shot. We let a firecracker off in the park.

See also: let, off