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Glite Dictionary
to let go of

to let go of

356 1.9
To stop holding something so it is not in your hand
  • phrasal verb
  • /lɛt ɡoʊ ʌv/
translation icon : soltar
  • How do you let go of what no longer serves you?
  • people let go of
  • let go of the old

Regina asks how do you let go of sentimental items?

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Examples

  • Apparently, the son could not easily let go of the father either.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Let go of your lingering feelings and end it!

    L.U.N.A. (2021)

  • Do your hard work and then let go of it completely.

  • So how to, how to, you know, let go of all those other things?

  • I do wish you would let go of this.

    A Haunting in Venice (2023)

  • I gotta learn to let go of a lot of things.

    Fast Charlie (2023)

  • Henry, let go of that thing!

    A Minecraft Movie (2025)

  • And so in a way, I had to let go of my poverty mindset.

  • I'm going to have to let go of Toronto.

  • During the argument, she finally decided to let go of his hand and walk away.

Synonyms

to release
vsto let go of
∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

focuses on ending a hand grasp not freeing from confinement
to let go
vsto let go of
∞ 1.4

To stop holding something or someone so they are free

is about stopping holding with the hand rather than formal release
to disengage
vsto let go of
82 5.3

To stop being part of or connected to something

applies to disconnecting or stopping involvement, not only physical grasp
to relinquish
vsto let go of
  • Formal
69 7.2

To give up control, a right, or something you own

is a simple physical release rather than giving up rights or positions
to unhand
vsto let go of
  • Literature
18 8.6

Let go of someone or something you are holding

can mean releasing by any method, not only hand removal
to let loose
vsto let go of
13 3.8

Set something free from being held or controlled

is narrower, the simple act of stopping physical holding, not broader freeing
to unbind
vsto let go of
3 6.4

To free something by untying ropes or cords

covers release from a hand hold specifically, not just untying things
to unclasp
vsto let go of
3 5.6

To open something held closed by a small metal catch or let go of something you were holding

is about releasing from grasp, not about unfastening closures
to unloose
vsto let go of
  • Archaic
1 7.0

To make something less tight or set something free

specifies releasing from a hold rather than general loosening
to unattach
vsto let go of
1 7.5

To stop feeling close to someone or something

focuses on ending a hand grasp, not ending feelings or bonds
to ungrip
vsto let go of
6.8

To let go of something you hold tightly

involves releasing a hold generally not only tight grips
to unloose grip
vsto let go of
6.7

Let go of something you are holding, physically or emotionally

means a complete physical release rather than only looser control

Antonyms

to hold
∞ 1.0

To carry or support something with your hands

to hold onto
180 3.0

To keep something and not let it go

to grasp
60 1.1

To take and hold something firmly with the hands

How Tightly Held

to clench
70 3.5
to hold
∞ 1.0
to let go of
356 1.9

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

let + go + of

The meaning 'to stop holding/release' is directly derivable from combining 'let' (allow) with 'go' (move away) while 'of' links the object; together they convey allowing something to move away from one's grasp. This verb+particle composition is common in English and has parallels in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would likely infer the meaning.

Etymology

Let go of comes from the simple image of opening your hand: to let something go is to stop holding it so it falls or moves away. So let go of means 'to release' or 'to stop holding something'.