Meaning
- To physically stop holding something.
- To fire or lay someone off.
- To release emotions, anger, resentment, or the past.
- To allow something to move, flow, or happen naturally.
Today's Sentences
01
I need to learn to let go.
Situation
You’re still upset about what happened, aren’t you?
Yeah, I can’t seem to let go of it.
I get it, but holding on will only hurt you more.
You’re right.
I need to learn to let go.
02
Don’t let go of the rope yet.
Situation
Hold on tight, don’t let go of the rope yet!
My hands are slipping, I might let go any second.
Just a little longer, we’re almost there.
Okay, but if I let go, it’s not my fault!
Writer's Note
Let’s break down the phrasal verb "get by" into its types.
- Intransitive - These verbs do not need an object to make sense and can stand alone in a sentence.
Structure 1: "Subject + get by (+ on/with + noun)"
Example 1: It’s hard to get by on such a small salary.
Structure 2: "Subject + get by (+ in/with + noun)"
Example 2: He can’t cook fancy meals, but he gets by with pasta and eggs.
Structure 3: "Subject + get by (+ object/obstacle)"
Example 3: There wasn’t enough space to get by the parked car. - Inseparable - Because "by" is a preposition here, the object (if any) must come after the whole phrasal verb.
Structure: "Subject + get by (+ prepositional phrase)"
Example 1: During college, I got by on instant noodles.
Example 2: I don’t speak French well, but I can get by in Paris.
Example 3: I turned sideways to get by in the crowded hallway.
Related words: Cope, endure, manage, make do, muddle through, pass, scrape by, subsist, survive.