let loose
Definition
- Verb:
- To release or set free from confinement or restraint: To allow something or someone to become unrestricted or untethered.
- To emit or utter a sound loudly or freely: To express a sound, often suddenly or with force.
Usage Examples
- Verb (Release):
- The zookeeper decided to let loose the rehabilitated eagle back into the wild.
- During the celebration, they let loose hundreds of colorful balloons.
- Verb (Emit/Utter):
- Upon hearing the joke, she let loose a loud, joyful laugh.
- The angry customer let loose a torrent of complaints.
Advanced Usage
- "to let loose on/upon": To release or unleash something, often with a negative or powerful impact on a target.
- The general let loose the full force of the army upon the enemy fortress.
- The critic let loose a scathing review upon the new film.
Variants and Related Words
- Let (verb): To allow or permit.
- Loose (adjective): Not firmly or tightly fixed in place; not restrained.
- Unleash (verb): To release from a leash or restraint; often used similarly to "let loose."
Synonyms
- Release: To set free from confinement.
- Unleash: To release a force or emotion, often a powerful one.
- Emit: To produce and discharge (something, especially gas or radiation).
- Utter: To make a sound with one's voice.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Let go: To stop holding; to release one's grip or control.
- It's time to let go of the past.
- Let out: To allow to leave; to utter a sound.
- He let out a sigh of relief.
Related Idioms
- Cut loose: To start enjoying oneself freely; to break free from restrictions.
- After finals, the students cut loose at the beach party.
- Break loose: To escape or become free from confinement.
- Several prisoners managed to break loose during the riot.
Verb
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turn loose or free from restraint
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let loose mines
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Loose terrible plagues upon humanity
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express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words)
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She let out a big heavy sigh
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He uttered strange sounds that nobody could understand
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