1 (cause to explode, fire) [+bomb] hacer explotar; [+firework] tirar; [+firearm] disparar never let fireworks off inside
2 (release) to let off steam [+boiler, engine] soltar vapor; [+person] (informal) (release anger) desahogarse; (unwind) relajarse
Unhappy wives and girlfriends have been letting off steam about their rotten partners on a telephone hotline I find hitting a punchbag is a good way to let off steam And who do I complain to? How about me? I used to let off steam to Alma, every day, till she must have been sick of it, and mostly she listened. And sympathized play enables children to let off steam these dance classes are an excellent way to let off steam after a hard day's work
3 (allow to leave) dejar salir they let the children off early today hoy han dejado salir a los niños antes de la hora
will you please let me off at 3 o'clock? excuse from duty
4 (exempt) perdonar it's your turn to do the washing up but I'll let you off this time te toca fregar a ti pero esta vez te perdono
would you mind if I didn't do the washing-up tonight? OK, I'll let you off this once
5 (not punish) perdonar he let me off I'll let you off this time
to let sb off lightly ser demasiado blando con algn; the headmaster let him off with a warning el director le dejó escapar con solo una advertencia
he was let off with a warning they let him off with a warning he was let off with a fine
