let off meaning and examples

Meaning

The phrasal verb "let off" has several meanings depending on context:

1. To excuse someone from punishment, duty, or responsibility (e.g., not punishing someone as severely as expected).
2. To allow someone to leave a vehicle (e.g., a bus or taxi stops and the driver lets passengers off).
3. To cause something (like gas, steam, or fireworks) to explode or be released.

Grammar and Usage

• Verb type: Phrasal verb (transitive & separable, sometimes intransitive).

• Patterns:

  • let sb off (sth) → to excuse or release from duty/punishment.
  • let off (sth) → to set off fireworks/explosives.
  • let sb off → to drop off a passenger.

Examples of structures:

• "let somebody off with a warning"
• "let somebody off the bus"
• "let off fireworks"

Common Phrases

• let off steam (to release pent-up energy or emotions).
• let somebody off the hook (to free someone from blame or responsibility).
• let off with a warning (to excuse someone lightly).

Collocations

• let off fireworks
• let off a gun / shot
• let off easy
• let off with a fine / warning
• bus let off passengers

Examples

1. The teacher let him off with a warning instead of giving detention.
2. The bus driver let us off near the park.
3. They were letting off fireworks all night during the festival.
4. I’ll let you off this time, but don’t be late again.
5. The judge decided to let the teenager off with community service.
6. The children were excited to let off balloons into the sky.
7. He was supposed to pay a fine, but they let him off.
8. After work, she went running to let off steam.

Synonyms or Related

• excuse
• release
• dismiss
• discharge
• drop off
• forgive

Antonym

• punish
• hold accountable
• detain
• blame
• restrain