To shoot or let fly (an arrow); to let off (a gun).

transitive. To discharge (a gun, cannon, or other firearm); to shoot (a weapon). Also: to let off (a firework), to explode (a mine).

To allow the escape of (confined fluid); to shed (tears, blood); to emit (breath, sounds, etc.). Also, to discharge (a gun). to let blood (Surgery)…

transitive. To cause to make a small quick explosive sound; to burst with a pop; to fire, let off, as an explosive or gun. Also figurative.

transitive. To fire (a gun); to be the cause or occasion of firing. Obsolete. rare.

transitive. To discharge or fire (a gun). Also intransitive: (of a gun) to fire. Cf. unload, v. 4b. Obsolete.

transitive. To discharge (a gun or other firearm); to shoot (a weapon).

To discharge with an explosion. Hence figurative. To fire off (a joke, speech, etc.). to let off steam: see steam, n. 7d.

To let off (a squib); to fire (a gun, etc.), esp. with the priming or powder only; †to shoot (an arrow).

See simple trans. senses and off, adv.. To cause to go off or explode, let off.

to ease off. transitive. To fire off.

transitive. To fire (a bullet, shell, or other projectile), to discharge (a gun); frequently with off. Also: to shoot (a person or animal). Also figur…