Language Research

let · verb

/let/Full view

let's

A2 something that you say when you are making a suggestion

Dictionary examples:

After the film, let's go out to dinner.

Let's not argue.

Learner example:

Let's go shopping. (Key English Test; A2; Japanese)

let sb know (sth)

A2 to tell someone something

Dictionary examples:

Let me know if you can come on Friday.

I'll let you know when we've set a date for the meeting.

Learner example:

Please let me know as soon as possible. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Polish)

let

B1 T to allow someone to do something, or to allow something to happen

Dictionary examples:

She wanted to go but her parents wouldn't let her.

Their parents let them go to the movie.

He decided to let his hair grow long.

I'm letting you stay up late, just this once.

That's Grandma at the door - could you let her in?

Don't let it upset you.

Learner example:

I hope my parents let me go with you [to] New York. (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)

let sb/sth in/past/through, etc.

B2 to allow someone or something to move to a particular place

Dictionary examples:

They won't let us past the gate.

The roof lets in a lot of rain.

Learner example:

But the security service [at] the tower refused at first to let us in. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

let me/us

B2 something that you say when you are offering to help someone

Dictionary example:

Let me carry your suitcase.

let alone

C1 used to emphasize that something is more impossible than another thing

Dictionary example:

You couldn't trust her to look after your dog, let alone your child.

Learner example:

We are surrounded by amazing pieces of technology which we do not fully understand, let alone use to their full capacity. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Romanian)

let go

C2 to be relaxed and enjoy yourself

Dictionary example:

Just let go and have a little fun!

Learner example:

When I finish my homework I listen [to] music, which can help me relax and let go. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

let go (of sb/sth)

C2 to stop holding someone or something

Dictionary examples:

Hold onto the rope and don't let go!

I let go of the feather and it floated to the ground.

Learner example:

She let go of the mattress and sat on her bed pondering with her face resting on her hands. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

let go (of sth)

C2 to stop thinking about, wanting, or being angry about something

Dictionary examples:

I have tried to let go of the past.

You've been angry for weeks not - it's time to let go now.

Learner example:

It was obvious to me that he had had a hard time letting go of the past. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)

let's face it

C2 ssomething that you say before you say something that is unpleasant but true

Dictionary example:

Let's face it, we're not getting any younger.

Learner example:

Let's face it, we live in an era dominated by machines. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

let your guard down

C2 to relax when you should be careful or ready to deal with something

Dictionary example:

He's worried that if he lets his guard down someone may take advantage of him.

Learner example:

That of course will go against anything Stevens has ever done and he never lets his guard down. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

let your hair down

C2 to be very relaxed and enjoy yourself a lot

Dictionary example:

I'd love to see Clare let her hair down for once.

Learner example:

Thrace hosts every year, festivals and carnivals where all the family can let [their] hair down and have fun. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

let off steam

C2 to get rid of your anger, excitement, etc. by being noisy or using a lot of energy

Dictionary example:

The children need to run around and let off steam.

Learner example:

I believe that listening to it on a daily basis will be an ideal way for us to relieve the day's pressure and let off steam. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

let sb down or let down sb

B2 to disappoint someone by failing to do what you agreed to do

Dictionary example:

I promised to go to a movie with Beth and I don't want to let her down.

Learner example:

I promise you that I am not going to let you down. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

let sb off or let off sb

B2 to not punish someone who has done something wrong, or to not punish them severely

Dictionary examples:

Instead of a prison sentence they were let off with a fine.

You won't be let off so lightly the next time.

Learner example:

Although the headmaster let me off with a warning when I explained the matter to him, I was very depressed because I was exhausted. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

let out sb/sth or let sb/sth out

B2 to allow a person or animal to leave a place, especially by opening a locked or closed door

Dictionary example:

I heard a voice from the closet shouting "Let me out!"

Learner example:

Then, hopefully, the animals can be let out in[to] their natural enviro[n]ment again. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)