to let out a curse
- phrasal verb
- Offensive
:
soltar una palabrota
- She accidentally dropped the plate and let out a curse in the kitchen.
Examples
-
He let out a curse when he stubbed his toe.
-
Whenever he stubs his toe, he can't help but let out a curse.
-
Frustrated by his mistake, he let out a curse under his breath.
-
Don't let out a curse in front of the children!
-
She let out a curse when she stubbed her toe on the table leg.
-
During the game, he let out a curse after missing the penalty kick.
-
When the car broke down, she let out a curse in frustration.
Synonyms
253
4.3
To use rude or offensive words, often when angry
192
4.1
To say bad words in anger
30
8.1
To say swear words when angry or frustrated
3
9.9
To say strong swear words like 'fuck' when angry
Say the rude word 'fuck', often in a situation where it surprises or offends people
To use the F-word to shock people
Say darn when you feel frustrated or annoyed
Antonyms
How Harsh
- Offensive
5
9.6
- Offensive
253
4.3
- Offensive
140
3.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase composes straightforwardly from 'let out' (to emit/release) and 'a curse' (an expletive); it follows the common pattern 'let out a X' (e.g. sigh, cry) meaning to utter or emit that thing. A B1 learner who knows the constituent meanings can reliably infer it means to utter a swear word.
Etymology
The phrase let out a curse comes from the simple image of releasing a sound: to let out is to send something out and a curse is a strong angry word or an old word meant to harm. That's why it means 'to say a swear word' when someone is angry, frustrated, or in pain.