/ let; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
( let·ting , let , let )
ALLOW
1.
[ no passive ] to allow sb to do sth or sth to happen without trying to stop it :
[ vn inf ]
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 :
[ vn inf ]
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.
MAKING SUGGESTIONS
4.
let's [ no passive ] used for making suggestions : [ vn inf ]
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.
[ vn inf ] [ no passive ] used for offering help to sb :
Here, let me do it.
Let us get those boxes down for you.
MAKING REQUESTS
6.
[ vn inf ] [ no passive ] used for making requests or giving instructions :
Let me have your report by Friday.
CHALLENGING
7.
[ vn inf ] [ no passive ] 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.
[ vn inf ] [ no passive ] ( literary ) used to express a strong wish for sth to happen :
Let her come home safely!
INTRODUCING STH
9.
[ vn inf ] [ no passive ] 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.
[ vn inf ] [ no passive ] ( 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 ] let 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.
➡ note at 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
- let sb go
- let sb/sth go | let go (of sb/sth)
- let sth go
- let yourself go
- let sb have it
- let it go (at that)
- let me see / think
- let us say
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- let sb down
- let sb/sth down
- let sth down
- let sb / yourself in for sth
- let sb in on sth | let sb into sth
- let sth into sth
- let sb off (with sth)
- let sb off sth
- let sth off
- let on (to sb)
- let out
- let sb out
- let sth out
- let up
—related noun let-up
■ noun
IN TENNIS
1.
a serve that lands in the correct part of the court but must be taken again because it has touched the top of the net
HOUSE / ROOM
2.
( BrE ) an act of renting a home, etc. :
a long-term / short-term let
•
IDIOMS
- without let or hindrance
••
WORD ORIGIN
verb and noun sense 2 Old English lǣtan leave behind, leave out , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch laten and German lassen , also to late .
noun sense 1 and without let or hindrance. Old English lettan hinder , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch letten , also to late .