let
♦♦♦ let /l'et/ (lets letting)
The form let is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle.
1 [VERB] V n inf, V n inf, V pron-refl inf
If you let something happen, you allow it to happen without doing anything to stop or prevent it.
Thorne let him talk...
She let the door slam...
I can't let myself be distracted by those things.
2 [VERB] V n inf, V n prep/adv
If you let someone do something, you give them your permission to do it.
I love sweets but Mum doesn't let me have them very often...
Visa or no visa, they won't let you into the country.
3 [VERB] V n prep/adv, V n prep/adv
If you let someone into, out of, or through a place, you allow them to enter, leave, or go through it, for example by opening a door or making room for them.
I had to get up at seven o'clock this morning to let them into the building because they had lost their keys...
I'd better go and let the dog out...
4 [VERB] only imper, V me inf, V me inf
You use let me when you are introducing something you want to say.
Let me tell you what I saw last night...
Let me explain why...
5 [VERB] only imper, V me inf, V me inf
You use let me when you are offering politely to do something.
Let me take your coat...
Let me get you something to drink.
6 [VERB] only imper, V us inf, V us inf
You say let's or, in more formal English, let us, to direct the attention of the people you are talking to towards the subject that you want to consider next.
Let's consider ways of making it easier...
Let us look at these views in more detail.
7 [VERB] only imper, V us inf, V 's
You say let's or, in formal English, let us, when you are making a suggestion that involves both you and the person you are talking to, or when you are agreeing to a suggestion of this kind.
I'm bored. Let's go home...
`Shall we go in and have some supper?'--`Yes, let's.'
8 [VERB] only imper, V us inf, V us inf
Someone in authority, such as a teacher, can use let's or, in more formal English, let us, in order to give a polite instruction to another person or group of people.
Let's have some hush, please...
`Let us pray,' said the Methodist chaplain.
9 [VERB] V pron inf, V pron inf
People often use let in expressions such as let me see or let me think when they are hesitating or thinking of what to say next.
Now, let's see. Where did I leave my bag?...
`How long you been living together then?'--`Erm, let me think. It's about four years now.'
10 [VERB] only imper, V n inf, V n inf
You can use let to say that you do not care if someone does something, although you think it is unpleasant or wrong.
If he wants to do that, let him do it...
Let them talk about me; I'll be dead, anyway...
11 [VERB] only imper, V n inf
You can use let when you are saying what you think someone should do, usually when they are behaving in a way that you think is unreasonable or wrong.
Let him get his own cup of tea...
12 [VERB] only imper, V n inf
You can use let when you are praying or hoping very much that something will happen.
Please God, let him telephone me.
13 [VERB] only imper, V n inf
You can use let to introduce an assumption on which you are going to base a theory, calculation, or story.
Let x equal 5 and y equal 3...
14 [VERB] V n to n, V n
If you let your house or land to someone, you allow them to use it in exchange for money that they pay you regularly. (mainly BRIT)
She is thinking of letting her house to an American serviceman...
The reasons for letting a house, or part of one, are varied.
= rent
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
Let out means the same as let. (in AM, use rent)
I couldn't sell the London flat, so I let it out to pay the mortgage...
Home owners who have extra space available may want to let out a room.
15 [PHRASE]
Let alone is used after a statement, usually a negative one, to indicate that the statement is even more true of the person, thing, or situation that you are going to mention next.
It is incredible that the 12-year-old managed to even reach the pedals, let alone drive the car.
16 [PHRASE] let inflects, oft PHR of n
If you let go of someone or something, you stop holding them.
She let go of Mona's hand and took a sip of her drink...
17 [PHRASE] let inflects
If you let someone or something go, you allow them to leave or escape.
They held him for three hours and they let him go...
18 [PHRASE] let inflects
When someone leaves a job, either because they are told to or because they want to, the employer sometimes says that they are letting that person go. (BUSINESS)
I've assured him I have no plans to let him go...
Peterson was let go after less than two years.
19 [PHRASE] V inflects, usu with brd-neg, PHR n
If you say that you did not know what you were letting yourself in for when you decided to do something, you mean you did not realize how difficult, unpleasant, or expensive it was going to be.
He got the impression that Miss Hawes had no idea of what she was letting herself in for...
20 [PHRASE] let inflects, oft PHR that/wh, PHR n, PHR about n
If you let someone know something, you tell them about it or make sure that they know about it.
They want to let them know that they are safe...
If you do want to go, please let me know.
21
to let fly: see fly
to let your hair down: see hair
to let someone off the hook: see hook
to let it be known: see known
to let the side down: see side
to let off steam: see steamlet down
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you let someone down, you disappoint them, by not doing something that you have said you will do or that they expected you to do.
Don't worry, Xiao, I won't let you down...
When such advisers fail in their duty, they let down the whole system.
● let down [ADJ] v-link ADJ
The company now has a large number of workers who feel badly let down.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V n P, also V P n (not pron)
If something lets you down, it is the reason you are not as successful as you could have been.
Many believe it was his shyness and insecurity which let him down...
Sadly, the film is let down by an excessively simple plot.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you let down something such as a tyre, you allow air to escape from it. (mainly BRIT)
I let the tyres down on his car...
Remove wheelnuts, let down tyre, put on spare.
= deflatelet in
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If an object lets in something such as air, light, or water, it allows air, light, or water to get into it, for example because the object has a hole in it.
...balconies shaded with lattice-work which lets in air but not light.let into
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P n
If you let someone into a secret, you allow them to know it.
I'll let you into a little showbiz secret.let off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P n/-ing
If someone in authority lets you off a task or duty, they give you permission not to do it. (mainly BRIT)
In those days they didn't let you off work to go home very often.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V n P prep/adv
If you let someone off, you give them a lighter punishment than they expect or no punishment at all.
Because he was a Christian, the judge let him off...
When police realised who he was, they asked for an autograph and let him off with a warning.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you let off an explosive or a gun, you explode or fire it.
A resident of his neighbourhood had let off fireworks to celebrate the Revolution.let on
[PHRASAL VERB] usu with brd-neg, V P that/wh, V P to n that/wh, V P
If you do not let on that something is true, you do not tell anyone that it is true, and you keep it a secret. (INFORMAL)
She never let on that anything was wrong...
I didn't let on to the staff what my conversation was...
He knows the culprit but is not letting on.let out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If something or someone lets water, air, or breath out, they allow it to flow out or escape.
It lets sunlight in but doesn't let heat out...
Meer let out his breath in a long sigh.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you let out a particular sound, you make that sound. (WRITTEN)
When she saw him, she let out a cry of horror.
= give out
3
see also let 14let up
[PHRASAL VERB] oft with brd-neg, V P
If an unpleasant, continuous process lets up, it stops or becomes less intense.
The rain had let up.
see also let-up
The form let is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle.
1 [VERB] V n inf, V n inf, V pron-refl inf
If you let something happen, you allow it to happen without doing anything to stop or prevent it.
Thorne let him talk...
She let the door slam...
I can't let myself be distracted by those things.
2 [VERB] V n inf, V n prep/adv
If you let someone do something, you give them your permission to do it.
I love sweets but Mum doesn't let me have them very often...
Visa or no visa, they won't let you into the country.
3 [VERB] V n prep/adv, V n prep/adv
If you let someone into, out of, or through a place, you allow them to enter, leave, or go through it, for example by opening a door or making room for them.
I had to get up at seven o'clock this morning to let them into the building because they had lost their keys...
I'd better go and let the dog out...
4 [VERB] only imper, V me inf, V me inf
You use let me when you are introducing something you want to say.
Let me tell you what I saw last night...
Let me explain why...
5 [VERB] only imper, V me inf, V me inf
You use let me when you are offering politely to do something.
Let me take your coat...
Let me get you something to drink.
6 [VERB] only imper, V us inf, V us inf
You say let's or, in more formal English, let us, to direct the attention of the people you are talking to towards the subject that you want to consider next.
Let's consider ways of making it easier...
Let us look at these views in more detail.
7 [VERB] only imper, V us inf, V 's
You say let's or, in formal English, let us, when you are making a suggestion that involves both you and the person you are talking to, or when you are agreeing to a suggestion of this kind.
I'm bored. Let's go home...
`Shall we go in and have some supper?'--`Yes, let's.'
8 [VERB] only imper, V us inf, V us inf
Someone in authority, such as a teacher, can use let's or, in more formal English, let us, in order to give a polite instruction to another person or group of people.
Let's have some hush, please...
`Let us pray,' said the Methodist chaplain.
9 [VERB] V pron inf, V pron inf
People often use let in expressions such as let me see or let me think when they are hesitating or thinking of what to say next.
Now, let's see. Where did I leave my bag?...
`How long you been living together then?'--`Erm, let me think. It's about four years now.'
10 [VERB] only imper, V n inf, V n inf
You can use let to say that you do not care if someone does something, although you think it is unpleasant or wrong.
If he wants to do that, let him do it...
Let them talk about me; I'll be dead, anyway...
11 [VERB] only imper, V n inf
You can use let when you are saying what you think someone should do, usually when they are behaving in a way that you think is unreasonable or wrong.
Let him get his own cup of tea...
12 [VERB] only imper, V n inf
You can use let when you are praying or hoping very much that something will happen.
Please God, let him telephone me.
13 [VERB] only imper, V n inf
You can use let to introduce an assumption on which you are going to base a theory, calculation, or story.
Let x equal 5 and y equal 3...
14 [VERB] V n to n, V n
If you let your house or land to someone, you allow them to use it in exchange for money that they pay you regularly. (mainly BRIT)
She is thinking of letting her house to an American serviceman...
The reasons for letting a house, or part of one, are varied.
= rent
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
Let out means the same as let. (in AM, use rent)
I couldn't sell the London flat, so I let it out to pay the mortgage...
Home owners who have extra space available may want to let out a room.
15 [PHRASE]
Let alone is used after a statement, usually a negative one, to indicate that the statement is even more true of the person, thing, or situation that you are going to mention next.
It is incredible that the 12-year-old managed to even reach the pedals, let alone drive the car.
16 [PHRASE] let inflects, oft PHR of n
If you let go of someone or something, you stop holding them.
She let go of Mona's hand and took a sip of her drink...
17 [PHRASE] let inflects
If you let someone or something go, you allow them to leave or escape.
They held him for three hours and they let him go...
18 [PHRASE] let inflects
When someone leaves a job, either because they are told to or because they want to, the employer sometimes says that they are letting that person go. (BUSINESS)
I've assured him I have no plans to let him go...
Peterson was let go after less than two years.
19 [PHRASE] V inflects, usu with brd-neg, PHR n
If you say that you did not know what you were letting yourself in for when you decided to do something, you mean you did not realize how difficult, unpleasant, or expensive it was going to be.
He got the impression that Miss Hawes had no idea of what she was letting herself in for...
20 [PHRASE] let inflects, oft PHR that/wh, PHR n, PHR about n
If you let someone know something, you tell them about it or make sure that they know about it.
They want to let them know that they are safe...
If you do want to go, please let me know.
21
to let fly: see fly
to let your hair down: see hair
to let someone off the hook: see hook
to let it be known: see known
to let the side down: see side
to let off steam: see steamlet down
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you let someone down, you disappoint them, by not doing something that you have said you will do or that they expected you to do.
Don't worry, Xiao, I won't let you down...
When such advisers fail in their duty, they let down the whole system.
● let down [ADJ] v-link ADJ
The company now has a large number of workers who feel badly let down.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V n P, also V P n (not pron)
If something lets you down, it is the reason you are not as successful as you could have been.
Many believe it was his shyness and insecurity which let him down...
Sadly, the film is let down by an excessively simple plot.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If you let down something such as a tyre, you allow air to escape from it. (mainly BRIT)
I let the tyres down on his car...
Remove wheelnuts, let down tyre, put on spare.
= deflatelet in
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If an object lets in something such as air, light, or water, it allows air, light, or water to get into it, for example because the object has a hole in it.
...balconies shaded with lattice-work which lets in air but not light.let into
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P n
If you let someone into a secret, you allow them to know it.
I'll let you into a little showbiz secret.let off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P n/-ing
If someone in authority lets you off a task or duty, they give you permission not to do it. (mainly BRIT)
In those days they didn't let you off work to go home very often.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V n P prep/adv
If you let someone off, you give them a lighter punishment than they expect or no punishment at all.
Because he was a Christian, the judge let him off...
When police realised who he was, they asked for an autograph and let him off with a warning.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you let off an explosive or a gun, you explode or fire it.
A resident of his neighbourhood had let off fireworks to celebrate the Revolution.let on
[PHRASAL VERB] usu with brd-neg, V P that/wh, V P to n that/wh, V P
If you do not let on that something is true, you do not tell anyone that it is true, and you keep it a secret. (INFORMAL)
She never let on that anything was wrong...
I didn't let on to the staff what my conversation was...
He knows the culprit but is not letting on.let out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V n P, V P n (not pron)
If something or someone lets water, air, or breath out, they allow it to flow out or escape.
It lets sunlight in but doesn't let heat out...
Meer let out his breath in a long sigh.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you let out a particular sound, you make that sound. (WRITTEN)
When she saw him, she let out a cry of horror.
= give out
3
see also let 14let up
[PHRASAL VERB] oft with brd-neg, V P
If an unpleasant, continuous process lets up, it stops or becomes less intense.
The rain had let up.
see also let-up