let out

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The phrase "let out" is a versatile English verb with multiple meanings and uses. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand it better:

Basic Meanings:

1. Make Clothes Larger:

   • When you "let out" clothes, you make them bigger. This usually happens when someone has gained weight and their clothes no longer fit.
   • Example: "I need to let out that dress because I gained a lot of weight."

2. Make Known Information:

   • To "let out" can also mean to share information that was previously a secret or not widely known. This could be news or facts that were kept private.
   • Example: "The auction house would not let out the price at which the Van Gogh had sold."

3. Express Sounds:

   • It can also mean to express sounds, such as sighs or other noises.
   • Example: "She let out a big heavy sigh when she heard the news."

Advanced Usage:

• Let out a secret: This phrase often refers to revealing something that was meant to be kept confidential.
  • Example: "He let out a secret about the surprise party."

Word Variants:

• Letting out (noun): This can refer to the act of making something larger or revealing information.
  • Example: "The letting out of the dress was necessary for the wedding."

Different Meanings:

• Let out a cry: This means to make a loud sound, often in response to fear or surprise.
• Let out in a certain context: In different contexts, "let out" can imply different things, such as releasing someone from a place (like prison) or giving permission for someone to do something.

Synonyms:

• For making clothes larger: expand, enlarge, increase
• For revealing information: disclose, reveal, announce
• For expressing sounds: emit, produce, utter

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Let out a breath: To exhale loudly, often in relief.
• Let out the truth: To finally reveal the truth about a situation.
• Let out a laugh: To laugh openly and freely.

Summary:

"Let out" is a useful English phrase that you can use in different contexts. Whether you're talking about clothes, sharing secrets, or expressing sounds, knowing how to use "let out" will help you communicate more effectively.

Academic

Verb

1. make (clothes) larger
   • Let out that dress--I gained a lot of weight
2. bring out of a specific state
3. make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
   • The auction house would not disclose the price at which the van Gogh had sold
   • The actress won't reveal how old she is
   • bring out the truth
   • he broke the news to her
   • unwrap the evidence in the murder case
4. express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words)
   • She let out a big heavy sigh
   • He uttered strange sounds that nobody could understand

Synonyms

• widen
• bring out
• utter
• emit
• let loose