let it go

/lɛt ɪt ɡoʊ/◆phrasal verb

stop holding onto something emotionally

She was upset about the argument, but after talking it out, she decided to let it go.

She chose to stop feeling upset about the argument after resolving it.

◆ What It Really Means

to release negative emotions or stop dwelling on a past issue

¶ Literal Meaning

to allow the thing to depart or move away

Literal Breakdown

letpermit or allow+itthe thing or situation+goto move away or be released

◇ Mental Image

Mentally releasing a held object or letting a bird fly away, symbolizing emotional release.

◈ When to Use

After an argument, a friend might say, 'Just let it go—it’s not worth your energy.'

◉ Cultural Note

The phrase gained widespread popularity from Disney’s *Frozen* (2013), where 'Let It Go' became an anthem for self-acceptance and emotional freedom. It reflects modern psychological emphasis on emotional resilience and mindfulness.

informal

to stop thinking about or being affected by something unpleasant or worrying

He couldn’t let go of the past mistakes and it was holding him back.

He couldn’t stop thinking about his past mistakes and it was preventing his progress.

After the breakup, she had to let it go to move forward.

After the breakup, she had to stop dwelling on it to progress.

Often used in emotional or psychological contexts to encourage releasing negative feelings.

Collocations

let it go to sleepstop worrying about something until latercan't let it gounable to stop thinking about something

Synonyms

move on forget about it release drop it let bygones be bygones

Antonyms

hold onto dwell on obsess over revisit

Related Phrases

let bygones be bygonesidiom

forgive past wrongs and move forward

water under the bridgeidiom

past events that can't be changed

drop itphrasal verb

stop discussing or thinking about something

Pro Tip

Contextual Tone

Use 'let it go' to encourage someone to release negative emotions, but avoid it in serious situations where the issue requires resolution. Tone matters—it can sound dismissive if not delivered empathetically.

Gold Rule

Emotional Release vs. Avoidance

'Let it go' implies emotional release, not ignoring problems that need addressing. Use it for personal feelings, not for dismissing valid concerns or conflicts.

Word Origin

The phrase combines 'let' (allow) and 'go' (release), with roots in Old English 'lǣtan' (let) and 'gan' (go). The idiomatic use emerged in the 20th century, popularized by psychological advice to release negative emotions.

Usage Notes

Commonly used in self-help, therapy, and everyday advice. Often implies acceptance rather than resolution. The tone can be reassuring or dismissive depending on context.

Word Breakdown

let

allow or permit

verb

the thing or situation in question

pronoun

to move away or release

verb

English Dictionary

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