let

Universal Words verb, noun verb (letting, let, let) allow 1 [nopassive] to allow sb to do sth or sth to happen without trying to stop it: [VNinf] Let them splash around in the pool for a while. * Don't let her upset you. * Let your body relax. * [VN] He'd eat chocolate all day long if I let him. 2 to give sb permission to do sth: [VNinf] They won't let him leave the country. * [VN] She wanted to lend me some money but I wouldn't let her. 3 [VN+adv./prep.] to allow sb/sth to go somewhere: to let sb into the house * I'll give you a key so that you can let yourself in. * Please let me past. * The cat wants to be let out. -< ALLOW making suggestions 4 (let's) [nopassive] used for making suggestions: [VNinf] Let's go to the beach. * Let's not tell her what we did. * (BrE) Don't let's tell her what we did. * I don't think we'll make it, but let's try anyway. * [VN] 'Shall we check it again?' 'Yes, let's.' offering help 5 [VNinf] [nopassive] used for offering help to sb: Here, let me do it. * Let us get those boxes down for you. making requests 6 [VNinf] [nopassive] used for making requests or giving instructions: Let me have your report by Friday. challenging 7 [VNinf] [nopassive] used to show that you are not afraid or worried about sb doing sth: If he thinks he can cheat me, just let him try! wishing 8 [VNinf] [nopassive] (literary) used to express a strong wish for sth to happen: Let her come home safely! introducing sth 9 [VNinf] [nopassive] used to introduce what you are going to say or do: Let me give you an example. * Let me just finish this and then I'll come. in calculating 10 [VNinf] [nopassive] (technical) used to say that you are supposing sth to be true when you calculate sth: Let line AB be equal to line CD. house / room 11 [VN] ~ sth (out) (to sb) (especially BrE) to allow sb to use a house, room, etc. in return for regular payments: I let the spare room. * They decided to let out the smaller offices at low rents. -> RENT IDIOMS Most idioms containing let are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example let alone is at alone. let fall sth to mention sth in a conversation, by accident or as if by accident: She let fall a further heavy hint. let sb go 1 to allow sb to be free: Will they let the hostages go? 2 to make sb have to leave their job: They're having to let 100 employees go because of falling profits. let sb/sth go