Let off means to not punish someone, or to give them only a light punishment: let somebody off with a warning. The second meaning is to excuse someone from a duty: I'll let you off the washing-up means “fine, you don't have to do the dishes”. Both meanings are about a break: the person expected something worse and got off lightly.
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let somebody off (with a warning/fine); let somebody off + homework/the washing-up; let off fireworks; let off steam
- The police officer let me off with a warning because it was my first time.
- Our teacher let us off homework for the weekend after the hard test.
- It's your birthday, so I'll let you off the washing-up tonight.
What changed
First versionDon't worry, I won't let you off: I'll be at the station at six.
RevisionDon't worry, I won't let you down: I'll be at the station at six.
Let you off means “I won't punish you” or “I'll excuse you from a task”. Here, though, the speaker is promising not to disappoint and to arrive on time, and that needs let you down. Off and down are easy to mix up, but the two phrases mean almost opposite things.
With things, let off means to set off or explode: let off fireworks. There's also the fixed phrase let off steam, to release your emotions: I go running after work to let off steam.
Your turn
I was driving a little too fast, but the officer only ___ with a warning.
Show the answer
let me off — The driver wasn't punished, only warned, so let me off. Let me out means letting someone out of a car or a room; it isn't used about punishment.
Describe a time when you weren't punished even though you could have been. Say who let you off and what you did wrong.
My teacher let me off with a warning when I forgot my essay at home.
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