let off (some) steam

let off (some) steam
let off (some) steam & blow off (some) steam
1. Lit. [for something] to release steam. •

The locomotive let off some steam after it came to a halt.

•

With a great hiss, it let off steam and frightened the children.

2. Fig. to work or play off excess energy. •

Those boys need to get out and let off some steam.

•

Go out and let off steam!

3. Fig. to release one's pent-up emotions, such as anger, usually verbally. •

I'm sorry I yelled at you. I guess I needed to let off some steam.

•

She's not that mad. She's just letting off steam.


Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • let off (some) steam — Go to blow off (some) steam …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • let/blow off some steam — let/blow off (some) steam informal : to calm down and get rid of energy or anger by doing something active I play racquetball every evening just to let off some steam. Tell him to go blow off some steam and then we can talk. • • • Main Entry:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • blow off (some) steam — AND let off (some) steam tv. to release emotional tension by talking or getting angry. □ Don’t worry. She’s just blowing off steam. □ Let off some steam. Get it out of your system …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • let\ off\ steam — • let off steam • blow off steam v. phr. 1. To let or make steam escape; send out steam. The janitor let off some steam because the pressure was too high. 2. informal To get rid of physical energy or strong feeling through activity; talk or be… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • let off steam — or[blow off steam] {v. phr.} 1. To let or make steam escape; send out steam. * /The janitor let off some steam because the pressure was too high./ 2. {informal} To get rid of physical energy or strong feeling through activity; talk or be very… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • let off steam — or[blow off steam] {v. phr.} 1. To let or make steam escape; send out steam. * /The janitor let off some steam because the pressure was too high./ 2. {informal} To get rid of physical energy or strong feeling through activity; talk or be very… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • let off — verb grant exemption or release to Please excuse me from this class • Syn: ↑excuse, ↑relieve, ↑exempt • Derivationally related forms: ↑excuse (for: ↑excuse) …   Useful english dictionary

  • let off steam — get rid of your extra energy or strong feelings by doing some activity He was very angry at first but he has let off a lot of steam and has calmed down now …   Idioms and examples

  • let/blow off steam — let/blow off (some) steam informal : to calm down and get rid of energy or anger by doing something active I play racquetball every evening just to let off some steam. Tell him to go blow off some steam and then we can talk. • • • Main Entry:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • blow\ off\ steam — • let off steam • blow off steam v. phr. 1. To let or make steam escape; send out steam. The janitor let off some steam because the pressure was too high. 2. informal To get rid of physical energy or strong feeling through activity; talk or be… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • let — let1 [let] vt. let, letting [ME leten < OE lætan, to leave behind, akin to Ger lassen < IE * lēd < base * lēi , to neglect, leave behind > LATE, L letum, death] 1. to leave; forsake; abandon: now only in phrases let alone or let be or …   English World dictionary

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