How do you say “Let someone off the hook” in German?
The closest natural German equivalent is jemanden aus der Verantwortung entlassen, which literally means “to release someone from responsibility”. English speakers use let someone off the hook to mean to free someone from blame, punishment or an obligation. Fits responsibility or blame, but sounds more formal than the English. Register: neutral. Usage frequency: common.
Closest natural German
jemanden aus der Verantwortung entlassen
/ˈjeːmandn̩ aʊs deːɐ̯ fɛɐ̯ˈʔantvɔʁtʊŋ ɛntˈlasn̩/
- Literal meaning
- “to release someone from responsibility”
- Register
- neutral
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Close equivalent
86 out of 100
What a native German speaker would actually say
This wording makes the responsibility explicit. It fits a work task, an official decision or a dispute about who should answer for a mistake.
For a small favour you no longer need, simply say “Du musst das nicht mehr machen.” The formal phrase would sound heavy in a casual exchange.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning4 out of 5
- Tone3 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity1 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
In context
English
The report doesn't let the manager off the hook.
German
Der Bericht entlässt den Geschäftsführer nicht aus der Verantwortung.
English
The committee let us off the hook for organising the event.
German
Der Ausschuss hat uns aus der Verantwortung für die Organisation der Veranstaltung entlassen.
Related expressions
Last updated 2026-09-19