let it rest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let it rest" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as a way of suggesting that a particular issue or debate should be put aside or left unresolved. For example, "After hours of argument, I suggested we let it rest and continue the conversation another time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

The New York Times

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Better to let it rest with its great memories intact.

HuffPost

Let it rest.

The New York Times - Magazine

I couldn't let it rest".

The New Yorker

Remove and let it rest.

The New York Times - Magazine

Let it rest in peace.

The Guardian

Or Grisham can let it rest here.

The New York Times - Books

Let it rest while oven heats.

The New York Times - Food

But the gods wouldn't let it rest.

The New York Times - Style

Still, he refused to let it rest.

The Guardian - Books

Then I let it rest for half an hour.

The New York Times - Food

But this time, he would not let it rest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to food, "let it rest" allows for redistribution of juices, resulting in a more tender and flavorful final product.

Common error

Don't assume "let it rest" means permanent abandonment. It often implies a temporary pause for reflection or improvement before resuming.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let it rest" functions as an imperative, offering a suggestion or instruction to allow something to remain undisturbed or to pause an activity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

The New York Times

10%

Less common in

The Guardian

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "let it rest" is a versatile imperative that encourages a pause or cessation of activity, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and very commonly used, appearing frequently in contexts like news, media, and even cooking instructions. The phrase can suggest both practical applications, like allowing cooked meat to redistribute its juices, or emotional detachment, as in ending a debate. Its semantic purpose is clear: to allow something to settle, whether physically or metaphorically. When considering this phrase, it's important to recognize that it doesn't always imply permanent abandonment; rather, it often indicates a temporary pause for reflection or improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave it alone

Focuses on avoiding interference or disturbance.

put it on hold

Emphasizes temporarily suspending action or consideration.

shelve it for now

Implies postponing something with the possibility of revisiting it later.

hold off on it

Suggests delaying action until a later time.

table it

Formal term for postponing discussion or action.

set it aside

Highlights the act of temporarily removing something from consideration.

give it a break

Suggests allowing something to recover or regain its strength.

cease and desist

Formal command to stop an action.

discontinue it

Implies a permanent end to something.

call it quits

Indicates ending an activity or endeavor.

FAQs

How to use "let it rest" in a sentence?

You can use "let it rest" to suggest temporarily stopping a discussion or allowing something to remain undisturbed. For example, "After a heated debate, we decided to "let it rest" and revisit the issue later."

What can I say instead of "let it rest"?

You can use alternatives like "leave it alone", "put it on hold", or "set it aside" depending on the context.

Is it always advisable to "let it rest"?

Not always. While ""let it rest"" can be beneficial for cooling down heated situations or improving food quality, there are times when immediate action is necessary and delaying would be detrimental.

What's the difference between "let it rest" and "leave it be"?

"Let it rest" often suggests a temporary pause or allowing something to settle, while "leave it be" usually implies a more permanent state of non-interference.