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to let

to let

1.0
Leave something as it is without changing it
  • verb
  • /lɛt/
translation icon : dejar
  • And now I'm going to let it set.
  • let go
  • let things be
  • let it rest

And now I'm going to let it set.

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Examples

  • But if I let you watch, you cannot tell your parents, okay?

  • I could relax and let go a little.

  • So now we just let that sit for a second.

  • And then I just have to let it dry and wait.

  • Show the board to the child and let them choose a playing piece.

    Academic text (2011)
  • So, I thought I should let him start learning music and art early.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Well, I'll let you get settled.

  • It's a place to get away from stress and let your imagination run free.

    Academic text (2008)
  • And now it's time to let the bangs free.

  • Remove the pan from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes.

Synonyms

to keep
vsto let
1.0

To continue doing something or stay in the same state

is about leaving a thing as it is rather than ongoing active maintenance
to leave
vsto let
1.6

To cause a feeling or result to remain after an event

is the general idea of allowing something to remain unchanged by not acting
to allow
vsto let
1.0

To let something happen or let someone do something

is about making something stay unchanged rather than making actions possible
to let it be
vsto let
33 4.1

Accept a situation without trying to change it

focuses on making something stay unchanged rather than emotional acceptance
to leave it be
vsto let
  • Informal
1 5.1

To let something stay as it is without changing it

is about making something remain in its current state without action

Antonyms

1.0

To make something or someone different

493 2.5

To change something slightly or become different

Idioms

185 3.4

To say that one thing is even less likely or possible than another

let me tell you
  • Informal
64 4.4

To start a story or show that what follows is important

21 3.0

To show that something is even less likely than what was just mentioned

Forgive past fights so they do not affect the present

8 5.6

Relax and enjoy yourself after being serious or busy

To accept what happens and not try to change the result

To tell a secret that should be kept

4 6.9

Avoid talking about old problems to prevent more arguments

let me guess
  • Informal
3 4.6

Said when you are about to say what you think happened

Give up control and trust God or a higher power

Wait too long to act and miss a chance

A playful goodnight wish hoping someone has good dreams

To let strong, uncontrolled feelings make your life worse

To allow someone to act freely after a time of control

5.4

To say this to show you want it to snow

To ask or hope, often in prayer, not to have a hard time

Show your true self to others, even if it seems strange

To wish someone a good night as a joke

Phrasal Verbs

1.4

To stop holding something or someone so they are free

852 3.8

To stop employing someone so they lose their job

637 1.8

Tell me when something changes or you have news

381 3.7

To stop worrying about something and relax

370 3.5

To choose not to react to something annoying

356 1.9

To stop holding something so it is not in your hand

344 1.1

Allow someone or something to leave a place

252 1.0

Allow someone or something to enter a place

210 2.9

Make someone feel disappointed by not doing what you promised

180 2.0

Move something slowly from a higher to a lower position

155 1.0

To tell us something so we can answer

75 3.5

To not punish someone or excuse them from a duty

64 4.1

To free someone from blame or punishment

54 3.8

To become less strong, especially for bad weather, pain, or pressure

50 3.1

Make a sound like a laugh, cry, or sigh

44 8.1

To tell someone angrily that they did something wrong

to let on
  • Informal
43 6.0

To tell a secret or show feelings you were trying to hide

40 2.3

Allow a person to join a group or organization

to let it slide
  • Informal
38 5.9

To ignore a small mistake to avoid an argument

33 4.1

Accept a situation without trying to change it

32 3.7

Tell secret or private information to other people

13 3.8

Set something free from being held or controlled

to let loose
  • Informal
12 3.9

Relax and enjoy yourself without worrying

11 8.1

To angrily tell someone off

8 3.8

Make clothing larger by sewing so it fits more comfortably

7 8.2

To relax completely and show your true feelings without holding back

6 3.9

Make a sudden loud sound, like a shout or laugh

5 5.6

Accidentally tell someone something you want to keep secret

To end a relationship or give bad news in a way that hurts less

3 5.8

Send something suddenly and forcefully, like a rock or angry words

To breathe out slowly because you feel relieved, tired, or disappointed

Choose not to touch or change something

To make a loud sudden cry because you are scared, hurt, or surprised

To suddenly breathe in sharply because you are surprised, shocked, or in pain

Allow food to cook slowly at low heat just below boiling

Tell someone bad news in a kind way

to let out a fart
  • Offensive
1 8.1

To let air out from your bottom so it makes a sound

6.7

Fail to finish tasks by the agreed time

to let drive
  • Archaic
8.2

To shoot something from a gun or bow

Allow a situation to continue without changing it

To breathe out loudly to show you are annoyed

To open your mouth and breathe slowly because you feel tired or bored

Light fireworks so they make bright lights and loud noises for a celebration

to let out a curse
  • Offensive
6.8

To say a bad word when you feel angry or hurt

8.9

Say darn when you feel frustrated or annoyed

9.9

Make a short silly sound like a small horn

Allow a project to continue without making changes

Compounds

1 4.7

A case where someone is excused from punishment, often only warned

let-off
  • Specialized
1 9.4

The percentage a compound bow's pull drops at full draw, making it easier to hold

How Unchanged

to preserve
496 3.4
to keep
1.0
to let
1.0
to modify
268 3.2
to change
1.0

Surface Forms

let infinitive
let past
let past participle
letting present participle
lets third person singular

Etymology

Let comes from the same old English verb lætan and also meant 'leave' or 'leave alone', as in 'let it be'. So to let something be is to leave it in its current state.