let off

épargner, pardonner

Décider de ne pas punir quelqu’un ou de lui infliger seulement une petite peine.

En anglais simple : To choose not to punish someone, or give them only a small punishment.

• The teacher let me off.
• The police let him off with a warning.
• Will you let her off for forgetting her homework?

Comment l'utiliser : let someone off with something (The officer let her off with a warning.); let someone off for doing something (The teacher let him off for arriving late.)

Synonymes : excuse, forgive, pardon

Contraires : punish

Expressions courantes : let off someone, let someone off

faire exploser, tirer, libérer

Faire exploser quelque chose ou laisser s’échapper du gaz ou du liquide.

En anglais simple : To make something explode or allow gas or liquid to escape.

• They let off fireworks outside.
• Someone let off a shot near the barn.
• Open the valve carefully to let off excess steam.

Comment l'utiliser : let something off (They let several fireworks off at midnight.)

Synonymes : set off, release, fire

Expressions courantes : let off fireworks, let off steam

relâcher

Réduire la pression ou l’effort, notamment en appuyant moins fort sur une commande.

En anglais simple : To reduce pressure or effort, especially by pressing a control less firmly.

• Let off the throttle now.
• She let off the pedal as the car approached the junction.
• You should let off the accelerator while changing gears.

Comment l'utiliser : let off something (Let off the accelerator before the bend.)

Synonymes : ease off, release

Expressions courantes : let off the throttle, let off the pedal