The idiomatic expression “let it go” means to stop holding onto anger, frustration, resentment, or worry about something and to release it mentally or emotionally. It encourages individuals to move on from a difficult situation, forgive, or simply stop obsessing over something that cannot be changed. Letting it go is often associated with emotional release, acceptance, and the ability to free oneself from unnecessary burdens. It reflects resilience, maturity, and a focus on the present rather than clinging to past mistakes, hurts, or regrets.
Example Sentences
- After their argument, he decided to let it go rather than keep holding a grudge.
- She kept worrying about the small mistake, but I told her to let it go and focus on what’s ahead.
- It’s not worth your energy to be angry forever—you need to just let it go.
- He couldn’t let it go when his friend betrayed him, and it affected their relationship for years.
- After losing the game, the coach told the team to let it go and prepare for the next match.
- She finally decided to let it go and forgive her sister for what happened years ago.
- Dwelling on that failure won’t help; you need to let it go and try again.
- He chose to let it go when he realized he couldn’t change the outcome of the situation.
- The manager advised her to let it go instead of stressing about something outside her control.
- I couldn’t believe he forgave me so easily; he just told me to let it go and move forward.
Synonyms
- Move on
- Let bygones be bygones
- Forgive and forget
- Release
- Drop it
- Shake it off
- Brush it off
- Give it up
- Stop holding on
- Accept and move forward
Antonyms
- Hold onto
- Dwell on
- Cling to
- Obsess over
- Ruminate
- Harbor resentment
- Keep a grudge
- Retain
- Fixate
- Refuse to forgive
Related Words
- Forgiveness
- Release
- Emotional freedom
- Acceptance
- Moving forward
- Resilience
- Closure
- Peace of mind
- Reconciliation
- Emotional maturity
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Move on: To stop focusing on the past and start looking ahead, similar to let it go.
- Shake it off: To release something emotionally or mentally and recover, like letting it go.
- Get over: To recover from an emotional hurt or disappointment, akin to let it go.
- Brush off: To dismiss or disregard something without lingering on it.
- Give up on: To stop holding onto something, whether it’s a plan, idea, or resentment.
Idiomatic Expressions
- Water under the bridge: To refer to past events as no longer important, similar to letting it go.
- Forgive and forget: To forgive someone and no longer dwell on their wrongdoings.
- Let bygones be bygones: To forget past grievances and move forward without resentment.
- Don’t cry over spilled milk: To stop worrying about something that cannot be changed.
- Bury the hatchet: To reconcile and stop holding onto anger or resentment.
The expression “let it go” emphasizes the importance of emotional release, acceptance, and moving on from things that cannot be changed or controlled. It reflects the idea of freeing oneself from negative emotions like anger, worry, or resentment, and focusing on the present or future instead. Synonyms like “move on,” “forgive and forget,” and “drop it” highlight similar themes of emotional maturity and resilience, while antonyms such as “hold onto” and “dwell on” describe the opposite behavior of fixating on negative experiences. Related idiomatic expressions like “water under the bridge” and “bury the hatchet” reinforce the concept of releasing the past and choosing peace over conflict. Letting it go allows individuals to reclaim their emotional well-being, enabling them to live a healthier and more balanced life.