let off
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To excuse someone from a duty, obligation, or punishment: To allow someone not to do something they were supposed to do or to not punish them for something they did.
- To allow someone to leave a vehicle or a place: To permit someone to disembark or alight.
Usage
- The verb "let off" is typically followed by a direct object (the person being excused or allowed to leave). It can be used in both active and passive voice.
- When meaning "to excuse," it is often followed by a prepositional phrase starting with "with" (for a light punishment) or "from" (for an exemption).
- When meaning "to allow to leave," it is often followed by a location (e.g., a bus stop, a station).
Examples
- Excusing from duty/punishment:
- The teacher let the student off homework because he was ill.
- The judge let him off with a warning instead of a fine.
- I was let off from attending the meeting.
- Allowing to leave/alight:
- Could you let me off at the next corner, please?
- The bus driver let the passengers off at the terminal.
Advanced Usage
- "to let someone off the hook": To allow someone to escape from a difficult situation or to avoid blame or responsibility.
- He made a mistake, but his boss let him off the hook this time.
- "to let off steam": To release pent-up energy or strong feelings, often through vigorous activity or loud expression.
- After work, he goes to the gym to let off steam.
Variants and Related Words
- Let-off (noun, informal): An instance of being excused from something unpleasant, especially punishment.
- Getting only a parking ticket was a real let-off after such a serious accident.
Synonyms
- Excuse: To forgive someone for a minor fault or for not doing something.
- Pardon: To forgive or excuse (a person, error, or offense).
- Release: To allow or cause to move freely; to set free.
- Discharge: To release someone from a duty or obligation.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Let down: To disappoint someone; to fail to support.
- He promised to help but let me down at the last minute.
- Let out: To allow to leave; to utter (a sound); to make (a garment) larger.
- School lets out at 3 p.m.
Related Idioms
- Get off lightly: To receive less punishment than expected or deserved. (Similar in meaning to "be let off.")
- He crashed the car but got off lightly with just a small repair bill.
Verb
- grant exemption or release to
- Please excuse me from this class