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Search results for 'let':

let1 verb (let, letting) 1 a to allow, permit, or cause to do something • let her daughter borrow the car; b used in commands, orders, warnings, etc: • let him go; c (let's) contraction let us, used in suggestions: shall we • Let's go. 2 Brit to give the use of (rooms, a building, or land) in return for payment. 3 math, philos to suggest a symbol or a hypothesis be understood as something • Let 'D' be the distance travelled. noun, Brit 1 the leasing of a property, etc • got the let of the cottage for £100 a week. 2 the period of time for which a property, etc is leased• a two-week let. lettable adj fit to be leased or capable of being leased. let alone used to link alternatives so that the extent of one's disapproval, surprise, etc is emphasized: • didn't even clear the table let alone do the washing up. let fall 1 to drop. 2 to mention or hint. let fly at someone to attack them physically or verbally. let go of something to release or stop holding it. let off steam to show emotion, especially anger, in an unrestrained way. let oneself go 1 to act without restraint. 2 to allow one's appearance or lifestyle, etc to deteriorate. let someone alone or let someone be to avoid disturbing or worrying them.let someone have it colloq to attack them either physically or verbally. let someone know colloq to tell them something at a later time • let you know tomorrow if I can go. let someone off the hook to free them from a responsibility, commitment or promise. let something drop to make secret information, etc known, especially unintentionally. let something loose to release it. let the cat out of the bag to let a secret out. let well alone to hold back from interfering in something for fear of making it worse. to let said of property: available for rent.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon lætan to permit.

let someone or something down 1 to disappoint or fail to help them at a crucial time. 2 to lower them or it. 3 to allow the air to escape from something inflated • let down the tyres. 4 to make longer • let the hem down.

let someone or something in, out, etc to allow or cause them to pass in, out, etc • Will someone let the cat in?

let someone in for something colloq to involve them in something difficult or unpleasant.

let someone in on something colloq to share a secret, etc with them.

let off euphemistic, colloq to fart.

let someone off 1 to allow them to go without punishment, etc. 2 to release them from work, duties, etc.

let something off 1 to fire (a gun) or explode (a bomb). 2 to release (liquid or gas).

let someone or something out to release them or it.

let something out 1 to enlarge it • let out the waist of the jeans. 2 to emit (a sound) • let out a horrible scream.

let up to stop or to become less strong or violent • The rain let up at last.

let2 noun 1 sport especially racket games: an obstruction during service of the ball, shuttlecock etc, eg by the net in tennis and badminton or by an opponent in squash, requiring the ball to be served again. 2 a service affected in this way. without let or hindrance without anything hindering or preventing action or progress.
ETYMOLOGY: 19c: Anglo-Saxon lettan to hinder.

-let suffix, signifying a small or young example • leaflet • piglet.