🗓️ Idiom: Let someone go (verb)
💬 Meaning
- To politely say that someone is fired from their job.
- To end someone’s employment without using harsh words.
🧠 Example Sentences
- The company had to let several employees go during the budget cuts.
- After the project ended, management decided to let the temporary staff go.
- HR explained that they were letting him go because his role was no longer needed.
🏛️ Origin
The phrase “let someone go” became common in the 20th century as a softer way to say “fire” or “dismiss.” Businesses started using it to reduce the emotional impact of job loss, especially in formal meetings or HR situations.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
Due to the company merger, they had to _______ several employees _____.
Answer
let several employees go
2. Choose the correct meaning of “let someone go”:
a) Allow an employee to leave early from work
b) Fire someone in a polite way
c) Encourage someone to take a vacation
Answer
b) Fire someone in a polite way
3. Change the sentence using “let someone go”:
“The manager decided to fire two team members last week.”
Answer
The manager decided to let two team members go last week.
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