Common English Expressions with “Let”

Common English Expressions with “Let” (with Examples)

Hello, dear English learners! Today, we’re exploring a set of very common English expressions built around the verb let. You already know let’s go and let’s do it, but English uses let in many other natural, everyday phrases. Understanding these expressions will help you sound more fluent and confident — whether you’re chatting with friends, watching films, or taking a Cambridge exam.

Most expressions with let use let’s, the contraction of let us, which we use to make suggestions or invite someone to do something.

Let’s dive in!

Let go

Meaning 1: Stop holding something or someone.

• Hold it tightly and don’t let go!
• The thief grabbed my bag and wouldn’t let go until he ran off with it.

Meaning 2: Stop thinking about past regrets; release emotional burdens.

• Sooner or later, everyone has to let go of the past and move on.

Let alone

Use let alone to say that something is even less likely than something already unlikely.

• When Peter lost his job, he didn’t have enough money for basic things, let alone new clothes.
• This flat is tiny — there’s hardly room for us, let alone a dog.

Let me see / Let me think

Use these when you need a moment to think, remember, or check something.

• Let me see… where did I leave my phone?
• The last time I saw her was… let me think… sometime last December.

Common English Expressions with “Let”

Let me tell you

Use this phrase to emphasise what you are about to say — often to add emotion, drama, or importance.

• Let me tell you, the traffic was awful. I’m amazed I got home at all.
• We stayed at that hotel for the weekend and let me tell you, I had the time of my life.

Let’s see

Use this to show you’re about to think something through or check information.

• “How many people are coming to the party?” — “Let’s see… about fifteen.”
• Let’s see if I understood you correctly…

Let’s hope (that)

A gentle, polite way to share a hope or wish.

• Let’s hope we can find a parking space when we reach the city centre.
• The operation went well, so let’s hope for the best now.

Let’s face it

Use this when you’re about to express an unpleasant truth or something hard to accept.

• Let’s face it, the market situation is getting worse.
• Let’s face it, we’re not getting any younger — we really should take better care of ourselves.

Let’s just say

A discreet way to avoid giving details or explaining fully.

• I won’t go into details, but let’s just say Pete wasn’t pleased with our offer.
• Let’s just say I had many reasons to leave my job and move abroad.

Let there be

Used to express a strong wish or hope; often formal or poetic.

• At the end of the day, let there be no excuses for poor work.
• Let there be peace and understanding between nations.

Common English Expressions with “Let”

Live and let live

This expression advises tolerance and minding your own business.

• In this neighbourhood, it’s best not to get involved — just live and let live.
• I don’t like arguments. Unless I’m really angry, I prefer to live and let live.

To/for let

A formal expression meaning available to rent. Common in adverts.

• Our company currently has three offices to let.
• Do you know of any flats for let near the beach?

Let yourself in for something

To unintentionally become involved in something difficult or unpleasant.

• Sara soon realised what she had let herself in for when she decided to buy a puppy.
• Be careful when buying property — you don’t want to let yourself in for trouble.

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