let go
Cease your hold
Let go means to release something from your grip or control.
If you let go of a rope, you stop holding it; if you let go of a grudge, you stop harboring it.
When employers let someone go, they terminate the person's employment—a euphemism that softens the blow of being fired.
The phrase also applies to self-restraint: to let yourself go can mean either relaxing inhibitions I let go and danced all night or neglecting your appearance and health.
Fall or release
- unhandLet go of forcibly
- relinquishVoluntarily give up control
- unfastenRelease from attachment
- untieUndo a fastening
unhook · unclasp · unclench · open hand · set free · liberate · loose · unlatch
Combustion with flames
- sackRough fabric bag
- terminateBring to an end
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
- lay offTerminate employment temporarily
oust · release · pink slip · downsizing · redundancy · severance · send away · give notice
Cease resistance, yield
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- healingRestoration of health
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- peaceFreedom from disturbance
closure · moving on · release · embrace · acknowledgment · adaptation · resolution · serenity
Release from constraint
- emancipationRelease from legal bondage
- unchainedFreed from restraints
- unshackledReleased from restraints
- unfetteredFree from restriction
breaking free · unburdened · independence · escape · unbound · untethered · weightlessness · lightness
Release accumulated tension
- loosen upBecome less tense
- de-stressReduce mental tension
- chillCold sensation or relaxation
- ease upBecome less intense
calm down · take it easy · mellow · breathe · decompress · destress · kick back · simmer down
Freedom from emotional clinging
- disengagementWithdrawal from involvement
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- distancingCreating space or separation
- separationState of being apart
stepping back · objectivity · impartiality · emotional distance · aloofness · stoicism · indifference · dispassion
drop
Fall or release
- unhandLet go of forcibly
- relinquishVoluntarily give up control
- unfastenRelease from attachment
untie · unhook · unclasp · unclench · open hand · set free · liberate · loose · unlatch · unbind
fire
Combustion with flames
lay off · oust · release · pink slip · downsizing · redundancy · severance · send away · give notice · show the door
surrender
Cease resistance, yield
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- healingRestoration of health
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
peace · closure · moving on · release · embrace · acknowledgment · adaptation · resolution · serenity · grace
liberation
Release from constraint
- emancipationRelease from legal bondage
- unchainedFreed from restraints
- unshackledReleased from restraints
breaking free · unfettered · unburdened · independence · escape · unbound · untethered · weightlessness · lightness · soaring
unwind
Release accumulated tension
ease up · calm down · take it easy · mellow · breathe · decompress · destress · kick back · simmer down · cool off
nonattachment
Freedom from emotional clinging
- disengagementWithdrawal from involvement
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- distancingCreating space or separation
separation · stepping back · objectivity · impartiality · emotional distance · aloofness · stoicism · indifference · dispassion · unconcern
- freefree, freed, liberated, released, unchained
- calmingcalm, calm down, soothe, relax, pacify
- dismissdismiss, brush off, brush aside, wave away, wave off
- Euphemismspass away, passed away, passed on, expecting, with child
- giving upgive up, giving up, quit, quitting, surrender
- phrasal verbspick up, look at, put down, turn on, turn off