If you go into the aviary, don't let out any of the birds!
1 more example
I was able to let the butterfly out of the window.
2
Canada, US Of a school: to finish for the day or term, allowing the pupils to go home.
We're gonna have practice tomorrow morning for an assembly we're giving on Thursday before school lets out for Easter.1999, Laura Beckham, A Bad Seed: And Other Stories, page 47:
3
To allow to operate at higher speed by adjusting controls.
He let out the reins when they were a mile from the barn.
The engineer let out the throttle after the train crossed the bridge.
4
To rent out.
We let out the house and went on a two-year world trip.
5
Of clothing To enlarge by adjusting one or more seams.
After the holidays he had to have his suits let out.
For a moment Mr. Stink fell silent. Then he opened his mouth and let out the deepest darkest dirtiest burp.2009 October 29, David Walliams [pseudonym; David Edward Williams], Mr Stink, London: HarperCollins Children’s Books, →ISBN:
7
To disclose.
He accidentally let out the location for the meeting.
8
To begin to tell a story.
9
Dated, Slang To lay off or fire someone (from a job).
let-out
noun
Etymology Deverbal from let out.
1
The act or an instance of releasing or letting out something.
“I just want you to know that this whole Missteps thing has nothing to do with me or any of my staff.” A let-out of breath. “I don't know who it is, but it sounds like that letter to the editor from back when you were playing? […]”2014, Timothy Lane, Rules for Becoming a Legend, New York, NY: Penguin Books, published 2015, →ISBN, page unknown:
2
Ireland, UK, Idiomatic An opportunity to avoid or escape from a difficult or unpleasant situation.
It has of course the brilliant let-out that it does not seek to prove that its statements are true, but only that they are “verifiable”. This principle is relatively weak: Wikipedists are supposed to be able to source their remarks.2007, Richard D. North, “Scrap the BBC!”: Ten Years to Set Broadcasters Free, London: Social Affairs Unit, →ISBN, page 141: