The difference between Detonate and Let off
When used as verbs, detonate means to explode, whereas let off means to cause to explode or come out.
check bellow for the other definitions of Detonate and Let off
-
Detonate as a verb (intransitive):
To explode; to blow up. Specifically, to combust supersonically via shock compression.
-
Detonate as a verb (transitive):
To cause to explode.
-
Let off as a verb (transitive):
To cause to explode or come out; to release.
Examples:
"Stand back when you let off fireworks."
"to let off a fart"
-
Let off as a verb (transitive, idiomatic):
To forgive and not punish.
Examples:
"The boss let me off for breaking the office window, when in theory she could have fined me about 30 dollars."