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Glite Dictionary
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let-off

let-off

1 4.7
A case where someone is excused from punishment, often only warned
  • noun
translation icon : exoneración
  • She is raped in the third season and never gets justice because the rapist is let off on a technicality.

Examples

  • I'm not sure that LSU will even still be in the game by the 3rd quarter, but that will be the only chance they get, since Bama always lets off the gas during the 3rd.

    Blog text (18)

  • The teacher decided to let off him for being late since it was his first offense.

  • Nick, as a new recruit, you've been let off with a warning.

    R.I.P.D. (2013)

  • That's not why they're speaking; it's only to emotionally let off steam.

    Blog text (17)

  • "Suddenly—boom!—the marksman's rifle let off a shot.

    Blog text (34)

  • After being caught speeding, she was let off with just a warning from the police.

  • When she forgot to submit her assignment, the professor let off her by giving her an extension.

Antonyms

consequence
874 4.1

A result of an action or event

punishment
720 1.3

An action that makes someone suffer for breaking a rule, like a fine or time in prison

How Lenient

pardon
  • Formal
252 4.2
let-off
1 4.7
to reprieve
  • Formal
1 8.1
fine
321 2.8
punishment
720 1.3

Surface Forms

let-off singular
let-offs plural

Morphology

let-off = let + off (semi-transparent) = let + off

The noun is built from the phrasal verb 'let off', but the specific sense of being excused from punishment is only partly predictable from the literal parts.

Etymology

Let-off comes from the phrase 'let off', meaning to allow someone to go; the let part means 'allow' and off means 'away'. So a let-off is when someone is allowed 'away' from punishment or is given only a small consequence.