verb
lets; let; letting
[+ obj] :to allow or permit (someone or something) to do something
[+ obj] a - used in speech when you are making a polite offer to help someone
b - used to introduce a polite statement or request
c formal - used to introduce a command
d - used to express a warning
a
Let's and (more formally) let us are used to introduce statements that express a wish, request, suggestion, or command.
b
The phrase let's go is used in speech to tell someone to go or work faster.
c
The phrase let us pray is used to introduce a prayer.
d
The phrases let's face it and let's be honest are used to say that something is true and cannot be denied.
[+ obj] :to allow someone to use (something) in return for payment :rent
[no obj] chiefly Brit :to be rented or leased for a specified amount of money
always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] :to allow (someone or something) to go, pass by, etc.
let alone
used to refer to something that is even less likely or possible than the thing previously mentioned
let (someone or something) alone :to not bother or touch (someone or something)
let bygones be bygones
let down
[phrasal verb]
let (someone) down
to fail to give help or support to (someone who needs or expects it) :disappoint
to make (someone) unhappy or displeased by not being as good as expected
To let someone down easy/gently is to give someone unpleasant news in a gentle or kind way.
let (something) down or let down (something)
to cause or allow (something) to move down gradually
to make (a skirt, a pair of pants, etc.) longer
let fly
or let fly with
let go
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
or let (yourself) go :to behave in a very free and open way
let (someone) go
to allow (someone who is being held as a slave, prisoner, etc.) to be free
to officially make (someone) leave a job
let (yourself) go :to fail to take care of (yourself)
let it all hang out
informal :to show your true feelings :to behave in a very free and open way
let loose
let me see
or let's see or let me think - used in speech by someone who is trying to remember something
let off
[phrasal verb]
let (someone) off or let off (someone) :to allow (someone) to get off a bus, an airplane, etc.
let (someone) off :to allow (someone who has been caught doing something wrong or illegal) to go without being punished
let off (something) :to cause (something) to explode or to be released in a forceful way
let on
[phrasal verb]
let (someone) on or let on (someone) :to allow (someone) to get on a bus, an airplane, etc.
let on or let on (something) informal :to tell, admit, or show that you know something
US informal :to pretend or seem
let out
[phrasal verb]
let (something or someone) out or let out (something or someone) :to release (something or someone)
let (something) out or let out (something) :to make (a shirt, a pair of pants, etc.) larger
US of a school :to end a semester, year, or session
let rip
let sleeping dogs lie
let (someone) have it
informal :to attack, punish, or criticize (someone) in a violent or angry way
let (someone) in on (something)
to allow (someone) to know (a secret)
let (someone) know
let (someone or something) be
to not bother or touch (someone or something)
let (something) be known
let (something) slip
or let slip (something)
let the cat out of the bag
let the grass grow under your feet
let up
[phrasal verb]
to stop or become slower
let up on (someone) :to treat (someone) in a less harsh or demanding way
let up on (something) :to apply less pressure to (something)
let (yourself) in for
to cause (yourself) to have or experience (something bad or unpleasant)
noun
plural lets
[count] tennis :a serve that is not accepted or allowed officially and must be done again
without let or hindrance
chiefly Brit law :without being interfered with