let-out

• letout

Deverbal from let out

let-out (plural let-outs)

1. The act or an instance of releasing or letting out something.
   • 2014, Timothy Lane, Rules for Becoming a Legend, New York, NY: Penguin Books, published 2015, →ISBN, page unknown:

     “I just want you to know that this whole Missteps thing has nothing to do with me or any of my staff.” A let-out of breath. “I don't know who it is, but it sounds like that letter to the editor from back when you were playing? […] ”

2. (idiomatic, chiefly UK, Ireland) An opportunity to avoid or escape from a difficult or unpleasant situation.
   • 2007, Richard D. North, “Scrap the BBC!”: Ten Years to Set Broadcasters Free, London: Social Affairs Unit, →ISBN, page 141:

     It has of course the brilliant let-out that it does not seek to prove that its statements are true, but only that they are “verifiable”. This principle is relatively weak: Wikipedists are supposed to be able to source their remarks.

• outlet