let out

present singular third person lets out · participle present letting out

1. transitiveTo release.

   The students were let out of school early.

   2 more examples

   If you go into the aviary, don't let out any of the birds!

   I was able to let the butterfly out of the window.

2. CanadaUSintransitiveOf a school: to finish for the day or term, allowing the pupils to go home.

   We're gonna have practice tomorrow morning for an assembly we're giving on Thursday before school lets out for Easter.

   1999, Laura Beckham, A Bad Seed: And Other Stories, page 47

3. To allow to operate at higher speed by adjusting controls.

   He let out the reins when they were a mile from the barn.

   1 more example

   The engineer let out the throttle after the train crossed the bridge.

4. To rent out.

   We let out the house and went on a two-year world trip.

5. To enlarge by adjusting one or more seams.

   After the holidays he had to have his suits let out.

   Antonyms: take in

6. informalOf sound, to emit.

   The dog let out a yelp.

   1 more example

   For a moment Mr. Stink fell silent. Then he opened his mouth and let out the deepest darkest dirtiest burp.

   2009 October 29, David Walliams [pseudonym; David Edward Williams], Mr Stink, London: HarperCollins Children’s Books, →ISBN

7. To disclose.

   He accidentally let out the location for the meeting.

8. transitiveTo begin to tell a story.
9. datedslangtransitiveTo lay off or fire someone (from a job).