let somebody go

let (oneself) go

1. To behave in a wild or uninhibited manner. I was surprised that she let herself go at the party—she's usually so shy and reserved.
2. To fail to maintain an attractive physical appearance. A: "I was surprised to see that he had gained so much weight." B: "I know, he really let himself go after college."
See also: go, let

let (someone or something) go

1. To make free or give up control of something or someone; to release or discharge something or someone, as from confinement. Due to a lack of evidence, police had to let the suspects go. I love fishing but hate killing animals, so I let whatever I catch go.
2. To end a professional relationship with someone; to fire someone. A: "Wait, they fired you?" B: "Yes! They just let me go with no explanation!"
See also: go, let

let go

1. To stop physically holding on to someone or something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "let" and "go." If you let go of the ledge, you'll fall! The baby refused to let go of the rattle. He let the rock go, and it was a long time before we heard it hit the bottom.
2. To fire or dismiss an employee. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "let" and "go." I'm worried that they'll let me go once this special project is over. I heard they're going to let go a lot of employees involved in the scandal.
3. To release someone or something from custody. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "let" and "go." We did bring him in for questioning, but we had nothing to charge him with, so we had to let him go. What time did you let go the prisoner?
4. To stop pursuing a particular desire or attempting to maintain a particular situation and accept things as they are. In this usage, the phrase is often "let it go." He's never going to clean the kitchen as diligently as you would—just let it go. It's been 10 years, Ken. I think it's time for you to let go and move on.
5. To relax and not focus on one's responsibilities or stresses. I think I just need a weekend where I can let go for a while and not worry about what's going on at work.
6. To utter some sudden, fierce, or uncontrolled noise. Often followed by "with something." The trapped wolf let go with a bone-chilling howl. I don't know what made him so angry, but he suddenly let go a string of expletives.
See also: go, let
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ˌlet somebody ˈgo


1 allow somebody to be free: Will they let the hostages go?
2 make somebody have to leave their job: They’re having to let 100 employees go because of falling profits.
See also: go, let, somebody

ˌlet somebody/something ˈgo

,

ˌlet ˈgo (of somebody/something)


1 stop holding somebody/something: Let go of me! You’re hurting! Don’t let go of my hand, or you’ll get lost.
2 give up an idea or an attitude, or control of something: It’s time to let the past go. Some people find it hard to let go of their inhibitions.
See also: go, let, somebody, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • let (oneself) go
  • let go
  • Let it go
  • let oneself go
  • let yourself go
  • let it all hang out
  • fly (one's) freak flag
  • amok
  • amuck
  • amuk
References in periodicals archive
You wouldn't let somebody go across a factory floor without safety gear and we need people to respect the fact it is a working environment.
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Very rarely did I have to let somebody go. I don't think anybody's ever quit me."
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"The moment they bought Falcao they had to let somebody go and I heard he could be available.
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"How can we let somebody go when we haven't even brought anybody in?
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"How could you let somebody go that you trusted and that trusted you?" she stated.
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But that all stops once I'm racing - you don't let somebody go past you because you think they're a nice person!" The World Championship bronze in Berlin provided a richly satisfying end to a difficult 2009 campaign for Devonish who admitted: "It's been a really frustrating year.
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" You always get the feeling you should let somebody go who has left but there was some consideration, yes."
Goodison now scarier than Anfield - Wenger
'We've got a big squad here and you sometimes say, well in order to bring a player in, maybe you have to let somebody go, and that obviously happened in the case of Jaap Stam last year.
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But you can only sell somebody or let somebody go if somebody's interested or is prepared to pay the price or take over a wage.
Football: Jeff: Beni wages are worry if we take drop
Was it down to the fact that when they bought Bale they had Isco and they had to let somebody go? I was surprised, yes."
WENGER: NO RUSH TO SIGN