let off — release or fire
phrasal verbB2IELTS 6+neutraloccasional
to cause something, such as a bomb, gun, or firework, to explode or shoot
Say it like a native
Textbook The crowd discharged numerous fireworks at midnight.
Native They let off fireworks at midnight.
'Let off' is the natural verb for setting off fireworks or a gun. 'Discharged' is formal/technical.
Pattern: let off sth
In use
- Someone let off fireworks in the street to celebrate the festival.daily life
- During New Year's Eve, people in my country often let off fireworks to welcome the new year.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ They let off with fireworks.
✓ They let off fireworks.
'Let off + thing' directly — don't add 'with'.
Common collocations
let off— fireworks, a banger, a round, steam
Don't confuse it
Not about excusing someone; this sense is about making something happen, like an explosion.
Related
- let off (not punish) — Another meaning of 'let off' is 'not punish'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.