1 A2 neutral
To move aside or give way so that another person or vehicle can pass.
"He pulled over to let the ambulance past."
separable
let past
B1 neutral separable transitive
To move aside or give permission so that someone or something can pass by.
In plain English
To move out of the way so someone can go past you.
What does "let past" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To allow something to pass without challenge, comment, or intervention.
"I shouldn't have let that remark past without responding."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To allow someone or something to move past you.
Actually means
To move out of the way so someone can go past you.
Usage tip
Common in everyday traffic and pedestrian situations. Also used metaphorically for allowing something to go unchallenged (e.g., letting a comment past). Interchangeable with 'let by' in most contexts.
Words that pair with "let past"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
car pedestrian cyclist comment opportunity
How to conjugate "let past"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
let past
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lets past
he/she/it
Past simple
let past
yesterday
Past participle
let past
have + pp
-ing form
letting past
continuous
Hear "let past" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "let past" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "let past"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.