Английский словарь американских идиом - let off

{v.} 1. To discharge (a gun); explode; fire. * /Willie accidentally let off his father's shotgun and made a hole in the wall./ Syn.: GO OFF, LET LOOSE(2). 2. To permit to go or escape; excuse from a penalty, a duty, or a promise. * /Two boys were caught smoking in school but the principal let them off with a warning./ * /Mary's mother said that she would let Mary off from drying the supper dishes./ * /The factory closed for a month in the summer and let the workers off./ Compare: LET GO. 3. or {informal} let off the hook To miss a chance to defeat or score against, especially in sports or games. * /We almost scored a touchdown in the first play against Tech but we let them off the hook by fumbling the ball./ * /The boxer let his opponent off the hook many times./