nounverb

le lâcher

let go · drop

C’est quand on arrête de tenir quelque chose ou quelqu’un et on le laisse partir.

Definition & meaning

lâcher is a French verb with several related meanings:

To let go of, release, or drop something or someone: to stop holding it, or allow it to go free.
To loosen or slacken something, such as a grip, rope, or tension.
To abandon, leave, or give up on someone or something. Depending on context, it can suggest letting someone down.
To stop doing something or give it up.
To fire or discharge a weapon.
To let out or utter something, such as a sound, a remark, or information.
To break or give way, when used intransitively: for example, a part or mechanism may fail.

It also appears in the expression lâcher prise [?](vocabuo://word/lâcher prise), meaning “to let go” emotionally or mentally—to stop trying to control a situation.

Grammar & Word origin

lâcher is a regular first-group verb ending in -er. Its stem is lâch-, and its infinitive ending is -er. It uses avoir as its auxiliary; its past participle is lâché.

It can be transitive (taking a direct object) or intransitive, depending on the meaning. For instance, it can describe releasing something, or a mechanism giving way.

The verb comes from Old French lachier, ultimately from Latin laxare, “to loosen.”

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms vary with the intended meaning:

laisser means “to leave” or “to allow”; it is broader and does not always imply releasing a hold.
relâcher means “to release” or “loosen,” often with a sense of easing pressure or setting someone free.
libérer means “to free” or “liberate,” and is usually more formal or focused on removing restraint.
abandonner means “to abandon” or “give up on”; unlike lâcher, it emphasizes leaving something behind.
renoncer à [?](vocabuo://word/renoncer à) means “to give up” or “renounce,” usually referring to a decision or goal.
déclencher can mean “to fire” a weapon, but it emphasizes activating its mechanism.

Possible antonyms also depend on context:

tenir means “to hold” or “keep hold of,” the opposite of letting go.
retenir means “to hold back” or “keep,” rather than release.
s’accrocher à [?](vocabuo://word/s’accrocher à) means “to cling to” or “hold on to,” the opposite of letting go emotionally or physically.

Common phrases & collocations

lâcher prise [?](vocabuo://word/lâcher prise) — to let go, especially emotionally or mentally.
lâcher la main de quelqu’un [?](vocabuo://word/lâcher la main de quelqu’un) — to let go of someone’s hand.
lâcher quelqu’un [?](vocabuo://word/lâcher quelqu’un) — to leave or abandon someone; informally, to ditch them.
lâcher une bombe [?](vocabuo://word/lâcher une bombe) — literally “to drop a bomb”; figuratively, to reveal shocking news.
lâcher un mot [?](vocabuo://word/lâcher un mot) — to let a word slip or say something.
Lâche-moi ! [?](vocabuo://word/Lâche-moi !) — “Leave me alone!” or “Let go of me!”, depending on context.