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Antonyms for let-off


Grammar : Noun
Spell : let
Phonetic Transcription : lɛt



Definition of let-off

Origin :
  • Old English lætan "to allow to remain; let go, leave, depart from; leave undone; to allow; bequeath," also "to rent" (class VII strong verb; past tense let, past participle læten), from Proto-Germanic *letan (cf. Old Saxon latan, Old Frisian leta, Dutch laten, German lassen, Gothic letan "to leave, let"), from PIE *le- "to let go, slacken" (cf. Latin lassus "faint, weary," Lithuanian leisti "to let, to let loose;" see lenient). If that derivation is correct, the primary sense would be "let go through weariness, neglect."
  • Of blood, from late Old English. To let (something) slip originally (1520s) was a reference to hounds on a leash; figurative use from 1540s. To let (someone) off "allow to go unpunished" is from 1814. To let on "reveal, divulge" is from 1725; to let up "cease, stop" is from 1787. Let alone "not to mention" is from 1812.
  • As in release : noun delivery; dispensation
Example sentences :
  • "That's a let-off anyhow," said Betty to herself, and she propped up a Stevenson against the tea-pot.
  • Extract from : « The Incomplete Amorist » by E. Nesbit
  • Of the value of the accomplishment of reading, as a let-off to parents and guardians, it would be impossible to speak too highly.
  • Extract from : « Wings and the Child » by E. [Edith] Nesbit
  • They were now gathering their pence and having a let-off for their long pent-up gossip.
  • Extract from : « Ask Momma » by R. S. Surtees
  • I was once trying a new pattern revolver, and made a very bad shot, although I knew I had let-off well.
  • Extract from : « The Modern Pistol and How to Shoot It » by Walter Winans

Synonyms for let-off

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019