let out
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let out
1. To allow someone or an animal to leave a particular place. A noun or pronoun can be used between "let" and "out." I already let the dog out—she's having a fine time romping around the back yard. I let out the kids for a while so they could burn off some energy.
2. To free a person or animal from a place of confinement or captivity. A noun or pronoun is used between "let" and "out." He'll be an old man by the time they let him out of prison. I decided to let the mouse out of the trap, rather than kill it.
3. To release or discharge something under pressure. A noun or pronoun can be used between "let" and "out." Ugh, some pranksters let the air out of my tires. If too much steam builds up, you need to let out some of it.
4. To allow someone to avoid an obligation or responsibility. A noun or pronoun is used between "let" and "out." That agreement you signed is iron-clad—there's no way they'll let you out of it. We can't just let her out of her commitments like that.
5. To be concluded, as of a meeting or day of school or work. A: "Hey, you're back early." B: "Yeah, that meeting let out earlier than I'd anticipated." Give me a text when school lets out, and I'll come pick you up.
6. To reveal or disclose something, usually of a private or secret nature. If you let out any details about the surprise party, Mom will start bombarding you with questions.
7. To release or utter something audibly. I let out a shriek when the dog suddenly jumped on me. The lion let out an intimidating roar.
8. To alter the seams in a garment to make it larger. The seamstress let out that dress for me so I could wear it while I was eight months pregnant.
9. To offer something (typically a property or residence) for rent. If you're going to be studying abroad this semester, why not just let out your apartment?
let out (some sound)
To utter some loud, forceful sound. I let out a shriek when the dog suddenly jumped on me. The lion let out an intimidating roar.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
let (someone or an animal) (get) out (of something)
1. to permit someone or an animal to exit or escape from something or some place. Please let the president get out of the car. Don't let the snake get out!
2. to permit someone or an animal to evade something. I will not let you get out of your responsibilities. They wouldn't let me out of the contract.
let something out (to someone)
to rent something to someone. I let the back room out to a college boy. I let out the back room to someone.
let something out
1. Fig. to reveal something; to tell about a secret or a plan. (See also leak something out.) It was supposed to be a secret. Who let it out? Who let out the secret?
2. Fig. to enlarge an article of clothing. She had to let her overcoat out because she had gained some weight. I see you have had to let out your trousers.
let out (with) something
1. to state or utter something loudly. The man let out with a screaming accusation about the person whom he thought had wounded him. She let out a torrent of curses.
2. to give forth a scream or yell. She let out with a bloodcurdling scream when she saw the snake in her chair. They let out with shouts of delight when they saw the cake.
let out
[for an event that includes many people] to end. (The people are then permitted to come out.) What time does the movie let out? I have to meet someone in the lobby. The meeting let out at about seven o'clock. School lets out in June.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
let out
1. Allow to get out; also see get out of.
2. Make known, reveal, as in I thought it was a secret-who let it out? [First half of 1800s] Also see let the cat out of the bag.
3. Come to a close, end, as in What time does school let out? [Late 1800s]
4. Increase the size of a garment, as in May's coat needs to be let out across the shoulders. This usage refers to opening some of the seams. [Late 1700s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
let out
v.
1. To allow someone or something to exit from some place; release someone or something: My neighbor let out the dog for the night. After the party, we let the helium out of the balloons.
2. To make some sound: I let a sigh of relief out when I saw my test score. I let out a shriek when I saw the mouse.
3. To come to a close; end: School let out early.
4. To make something known; reveal something: Who let that story out? If you let out the secret, our team will lose.
5. To increase the size of a garment by undoing its seams: The tailor let out my new coat. The kids grew so much this year that I had to let all the hems out on their jeans.
6. To rent or lease something to someone: We decided to let the apartment out for extra income. The neighbors let out the space over the garage to students.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.