let go of

let go of

1. To release one's grip on someone or something. Please let go of me—you're hurting my arm! The child let go of the string, and the balloon floated up and away into the sky.
2. To fire or dismiss an employee. I'm worried that they'll let go of me once this special project is over. I heard they're letting go of a lot of high-level employees after the scandal.
3. To release someone or something from custody. We did bring him in for questioning, but we had nothing to charge him with, so we had to let go of him. What time did you let go of the prisoner?
4. To stop focusing or fixating on something in one's mind. I think I just need a weekend where I can chill out and let go of my worries for a while. It's been two years, Ken. I think it's time for you to let go of your marriage with Sandy and move on. I've been going to therapy to help me let go of the issues I have with my parents.
5. To release a captured animal. Due to overfishing in the rivers, we have to let go of anything we catch. I can't bring myself to kill mice, so I catch them in a humane mouse trap and let go of them outside.
See also: go, let, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

let go of someone or something

to release someone or something. Please let go of me! Don't let go of the steering wheel.
See also: go, let, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • let loose of
  • let loose of (someone or something)
  • let in
  • let (someone or something) get out
  • let us (do something)
  • Let us do
  • let (someone or something) get out of (something)
  • let down (one's) hair
  • let one's hair down, to
  • let go and let God
References in periodicals archive
It is an opportunity for you to take responsibility and modify what can be done, but you need to let go of everything else.
Let children make mistakes
1 Take a moment to reflect on all of the things in your life you have already let go of. Feel free to start with no longer sleeping in a crib.
Letting go of "letting go": the art of moving into the peaceful state of letgo
The victim's niece pushed him with both hands, he would not let go of the bags, and she bit him on the arm.
Tried to steal man's shopping
It only seemed like yesterday that you left our home and went on your way Be strong my son and face your fears and you'll be ready for the joys the laughs and the tears And alas the time has come and I can't let go of your hand my beautiful son Geraldine Costello, via email
FROM MUM WITH LOVE
Take time to explore what each parent would have to let go of under the two scenarios.
Letting go: parting with cherished dreams, beliefs, and attitudes is sometimes necessary--but often painful--that's true not only for your clients, but you
Let go of your possessions, challenged Jesus; give them to the poor and Come follow me, unencumbered and free.
The wisdom of letting go
Over the course of many Easter seasons I have had to let go of lesser, even lifeless things - the steady paycheck attached to an emotionally toxic workplace; the dream of a relationship and the hope for married life; corrosive worry about how to provide for my needs, how to make my way in a world that felt like a heartless machine.
Ascension teaches us to let go of what we cling to
Let go of your possessions, your lifestyle of More that is making you ill.
Healing Affluenza: a sermon on Mark 10:17-27
You let go of habitual holding patterns and ways of thinking in order to let something new happen.
Mind your body: skinner, skinner, skinner
Let go of that nagging feeling that something could go wrong.
Theme
Still, there is something bracing about a 74-year-old scholar who cannot let go of the God he thinks has let go of him.
Who do you say that I am? If you're looking for a good read on Jesus--other than the gospels of course--a trip to the bookstore might be in order
The man then let go of Emily before getting back into his vehicle and driving off.
My brave girls fought off man who tried to abduct them; ESCAPE: Attacker's attempt to drag youngsters into his van
And fall is the perfect time to let go of negative physical and emotional patterns.
Letting go of regrets improves your health
The mother told how she was holding both her children in her arms, but because of the severity of the flood she faced the agonising decision of having to let go of one of the two youngsters.
Mother's agonising choice for survival; TSUNAMI CRISIS
I can't let go of the idea of getting back to size 8 from my current size 18.
Thr diet coach