release

release (someone or something) from (something)

To set someone or something loose from some kind of confinement. He released the woman from his grip and told her to run. The police were forced to release the suspect from prison due to a lack of hard evidence.

See also: release

release (someone or something) to (one)

1. To turn custody of someone or something over to another person. The police were instructed to release the prisoner to his family. They impounded my car for a parking violation. I'm just waiting for them to release it to me.

2. To allow or grant access to someone or something to another person. The government said it is finally willing to release the unredacted report to the press. The bank said they would release the funds to me as soon as they could verify the authenticity of the transaction with the other bank. They've been keeping the actor's identity a secret, planning to release him to the world at the film's premiere.

See also: release, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

release someone or something from something

to liberate or let someone or something go from something. The police officer released George from the handcuffs. I released all the dogs from the city dog pound.

See also: release

release someone to someone

to discharge or distribute someone to someone. The judge released the defendant to his mother. Don was released by the police to his father, who was more than a little bit angry.

See also: release, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.