Let

English Meaning

To retard; to hinder; to impede; to oppose.

1. To give permission or opportunity to; allow: I let them borrow the car. The inheritance let us finally buy a house. See Usage Note at leave1.
2. To cause to; make: Let the news be known.
3. Used as an auxiliary in the imperative to express a command, request, or proposal: Let's finish the job! Let x equal y.
4. Used as an auxiliary in the imperative to express a warning or threat: Just let her try!
5. To permit to enter, proceed, or depart: let the dog in.
6. To release from or as if from confinement: let the air out of the balloon; let out a yelp.
7. To rent or lease: let rooms.
8. To award, especially after bids have been submitted: let the construction job to a new firm.
9. To become rented or leased.
10. To be or become assigned, as to a contractor.
11. let down To cause to come down gradually; lower: let down the sails.
12. let down To withdraw support from; forsake.
13. let down To fail to meet the expectations of; disappoint.
14. let on To allow to be known; admit: Don't let on that you know me.
15. let on To pretend.
16. let out To come to a close; end: School let out early. The play let out at 11 P.M.
17. let out To make known; reveal: Who let that story out?
18. let out To increase the size of (a garment, for example): let out a coat.
19. let up To slow down; diminish: didn't let up in their efforts.
20. let up To come to a stop; cease: The rain let up.
21. let alone Not to mention; much less: "Their ancestors had been dirt poor and never saw royalty, let alone hung around with them” ( Garrison Keillor).
22. let go To cease to employ; dismiss: had to let 20 workers go.
23. let off on Informal To cause to diminish, as in pressure; ease up on: Let off on the gas so that we do not exceed the speed limit.
24. let (one's) hair down To drop one's reserve or inhibitions.
25. let (someone) have it Informal To beat, strike, or shoot at someone.
26. let (someone) have it Informal To scold or punish.
27. let (someone) in on To reveal (a secret) to someone: They finally let me in on their plans.
28. let (someone) in on To allow someone to participate in (something).
29. let up on To be or become more lenient with: Why don't you let up on the poor child?
30. Something that hinders; an obstacle: free to investigate without let or hindrance.
31. Sports An invalid stroke in tennis and other net games that requires a replay.
32. Archaic To hinder or obstruct.