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. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.