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to let out a darn

to let out a darn

8.9
Say darn when you feel frustrated or annoyed
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : soltar un maldición
  • She accidentally spilled her coffee and let out a darn in frustration.

Examples

  • She let out a darn when she stubbed her toe.

  • The child let out a darn after dropping his ice cream on the sidewalk.

  • Whenever he loses at cards, he tends to let out a darn or two.

  • Oh no! I just let out a darn in front of my boss!

  • After missing the bus, she let out a darn in frustration.

  • He let out a darn when he realized he had forgotten his wallet.

  • Once the presentation was over, he let out a darn because of the technical difficulties.

Synonyms

to cuss
vsto let out a darn
  • NSFW
30 8.1

To say swear words when angry or frustrated

is usually a single mild exclamation rather than harsh profanity
to tsk
vsto let out a darn
  • Informal
2 9.9

To make a short click with the tongue to show disapproval

is a spoken mild exclamation rather than a short clicking sound
to humph
vsto let out a darn
  • Informal
1 8.9

To make a short low sound to show disapproval or doubt

uses a spoken mild expletive instead of a nonverbal low sound
to consarn
vsto let out a darn
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To say an old-fashioned rude word to show surprise or anger

is a mild modern expletive expressing frustration or annoyance
to let out a curse
vsto let out a darn
  • Offensive
6.8

To say a bad word when you feel angry or hurt

is milder and used as a gentle exclamation of annoyance
to let out a huff
vsto let out a darn
6.8

To breathe out loudly to show you are annoyed

is verbal and uses a single mild expletive instead of breathing out

Antonyms

88 5.8

To hold back feelings or reactions

87 4.2

Choose not to do something you want to do

How Forceful

to shout
644 1.0
to exclaim
81 3.4
to let out a darn
  • Informal
8.9
to mutter
140 3.7
to murmur
11 4.2

Surface Forms

let out a darn infinitive
let out a darned past participle
letting out a darn present participle
lets out a darn third person singular

Morphology

let + out + a + darn

The meaning 'to utter the mild expletive "darn"' is directly compositional from 'let' (allow/permit or cause) + 'out' (emit/release) + the interjection 'darn' (a mild exclamation). The construction 'let out a + [sound/utterance]' is a productive, widely attested pattern (e.g., let out a laugh/sigh), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can readily infer this meaning.

Etymology

Let out a darn comes from the simple image of letting a small sound escape. Here let out means to let something go and darn is a mild swear, so the phrase means someone lets a quiet exclamation slip when they feel 'frustration' or 'annoyance'.