Library / English Dictionary

LET GO

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Release, as from one's grip

Example:

relinquish your grip on the rope--you won't fall

Synonyms:

let go; let go of; release; relinquish

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "let go"):

discharge; muster out (release from military service)

unclasp (release from a clasp)

pop (release suddenly)

toggle (release by a toggle switch)

unhand (remove the hand from)

bring out; let out (bring out of a specific state)

unleash (release or vent)

let loose; loose; unleash (turn loose or free from restraint)

unleash (release from a leash)

disengage; withdraw (release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 2

Meaning:

Be relaxed

Example:

Don't be so worried all the time--just let go!

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "let go" is one way to...):

be (have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Credits

 Context examples: 

He never let go his rifle, even passing down the tackles with one hand.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Now that the terrible unknown had let go of him, he forgot that the unknown had any terrors.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

He conquered a mad desire to let go sheet and tiller and to clasp her in his arms.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

“What the deuce!” he roared, and then, “I’ll break your neck if you don’t let go.”

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Let go that foreboom tackle and pass it across, and when she’s willing let go the sheet and come in snug with the tackle.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The dog-musher let go of him precipitately, with action similar to that of a man who has picked up live fire.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

It had never been jaded by study, and it bit hold of the knowledge in the books with sharp teeth that would not let go.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Let go her head, William!

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

His rifle was between his knees, but if he let go the steering-oar in order to shoot, the boat would sweep around and collide with the schooner.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The cub had broken through the wall of the world, the unknown had let go its hold of him, and here he was without hurt.

(White Fang, by Jack London)