let\ off\ steam

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 very active physically after forced quiet.

After the long ride on the bus, the children let off steam with a race to the lake.

When the rain stopped, the boys let off steam with a ball game.

Bill's mother was very angry when he was late in coming home, and let off steam by walking around and around.

Bill had to take his foreman's rough criticisms all day and he would blow off steam at home by scolding the children.

Compare: blow one's top, let go(6)

Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • let off steam — ► let off steam informal get rid of pent up energy or strong emotion. Main Entry: ↑steam …   English terms dictionary

  • let off steam — (informal) GIVE VENT TO ONE S FEELINGS, speak one s mind, speak out, sound off, lose one s inhibitions, let oneself go; use up surplus energy. → steam * * * let off steam 1. To release steam into the atmosphere 2. To work off energy 3. To give… …   Useful english dictionary

  • 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 steam — British, American & Australian, American & Australian to do or say something that helps you to get rid of strong feelings or energy. Meetings give people the chance to let off steam if something has been bothering them for a long time. After a… …   New idioms dictionary

  • let off steam — blow off steam, informal you ll go nuts if you don t let off steam once in a while Syn: give vent to one s feelings, speak one s mind, speak out, sound off, lose one s inhibitions, let oneself go; use up surplus energy …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • let off steam —    A person who lets off steam releases surplus energy or strong feelings either through intense physical activity or by talking in an unrestrained manner.     Let s bring the kids to the playground so that they can let off steam …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • 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 off steam — express concern, sound off    Hec is letting off steam again. He wants to save the wolves …   English idioms

  • let off steam — release steam, release pressure …   English contemporary dictionary

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