to let loose
12
3.9
- phrasal verb
- /lɛt luːs/
- Informal
:
soltarse
- Let's try this one again, only let's really let loose.
- really let loose
- just let loose
- finally let loose
A dirty basement is where you can like let loose, get crazy.
- A dirty basement is where you can like let loose, get crazy.
- You know, I think the exercise of doing the show builds the muscle of being able to let loose a little bit.
- But when men get together, the reality is that it can get a little, I don't want to use the word wild, but you know, they're they're trying to let loose a little bit.
- I don't know if they are all hell be let loose.
Examples
-
Halloween should be about letting loose and having some fun, whether it's sexy fun, creative fun, or both!
Blog text (25) -
I think it is great for adults to let loose and dress up too.
Blog text (7) -
So you can let loose anywhere in the world.
Fiction book (2002) -
Maybe he just needs to let loose and dance a little!
Blog text (17) -
Who wants someone like that around when you are just trying to relax and let loose?
Blog text (11) -
Go to some old jazz club or something, just let loose.
-
By then we'll be through with the fashion show and all my meetings... we can really let loose.
Fiction book (1993) -
Yeah, everyone lets loose on vacation.
-
As you'd expect for such a game, people were ready to let loose.
Blog text (8) -
After working hard all week, I finally let loose and enjoyed a night of dancing with my friends.
Synonyms
∞
1.8
To let someone or something go free from being held
∞
1.4
To stop holding something or someone so they are free
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
337
1.0
To release someone or something that is held
218
2.7
To let a person or animal go after keeping them in a place where they could not leave
201
4.3
To suddenly let a strong feeling, power, or animal go free
104
4.3
Set someone free from prison or unfair control
71
3.4
Have permission to leave a place where you were kept, usually after being arrested or accused
35
3.4
Become relaxed and less tense after work or a stressful time
33
3.9
Act without control or limits
31
3.4
To relax and become less nervous or tense
30
3.0
To let something go free or make it less tight
22
7.6
Free a person or thing from something that traps them
18
4.4
To have fun and act without control, or to remove someone from their job
10
6.3
Become more relaxed and easygoing
8
5.6
Relax and enjoy yourself after being serious or busy
7
8.2
To relax completely and show your true feelings without holding back
5
6.5
Free someone or something from limits and control
3
5.5
To let strong feelings come out after holding them in
1
6.2
To free someone or something from limits so they can act more freely
1
7.0
To make something less tight or set something free
1
6.7
To free something by letting go of ties or limits
Let go of something you are holding, physically or emotionally
To allow someone to act freely after a time of control
Antonyms
How Free
33
3.9
- Informal
8
5.6
- Informal
12
3.9
531
1.5
72
4.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and compositionally derivable from 'let' (allow) + 'loose' (free/unrestrained): allowing someone or something to be free or to act without restraint follows straightforwardly from the constituent meanings. This pattern is cross-linguistically common and follows normal English verb + adjective/particle composition, so a B1 learner who knows both words will likely understand the MWE.
Etymology
Let loose comes from the picture of untying a tight rope so a person can move and act freely, with let meaning allow and loose meaning not tight or free. So it now often means 'to relax or behave freely' or to let things run free.