Skip to main content
let

let

1 8.1
A serve that touches the net but lands in the correct service area and must be replayed
  • noun
  • /lɛt/
  • Jargon
translation icon : saque nulo
  • Murray benefited from a let cord off a backhand slice that had Djokovic scrambling forward to defend, but he hit it in the net, and Murray never looked back.

Examples

  • >> JUST LET --

  • If you play short on his backhand side, he'll counter-drop 8 times out of 10, and he'll still clear the ball each time. There are so many 'lets' normally with other players in this situation.

    Blog text (1)
  • Being a human being lets think about Pakistan.

    Blog text (4)
  • Bit of a let-down, that.

    Blog text (2)
  • Anyway, I gather you're looking for a three-month let?

  • The hormone oxytocin, which triggers labor and milk let-down, facilitates infant-caregiver bonding.

    Academic text (2005)
  • In tennis, if the serve hits the net and lands in the correct service area, it is called a let and must be replayed.

  • During the match, the umpire announced that the point was a let after the ball touched the net.

  • According to the rules, a let is called when a serve interferes with the net but still bounces in the service area.

Synonyms

net ball
vslet
3.4

In tennis a served ball that hits the net but lands in the service box and must be served again

has identical meaning but is the common official sports term

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

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 Effective

ace
  • Specialized
6 4.5
serve
34 3.0
let
  • Jargon
1 8.1

Surface Forms

let singular
lets plural

Etymology

Let (the tennis call) comes from an old word lette meaning 'obstacle' or 'hindrance'. So a 'let' is a small obstacle — like the ball touching the net — that makes the serve be replayed.