Choose the most appropriate words from the options given below to fill in the blank in the following sentence:-
The thief was --- with a small fine.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Let off
Let off means to give someone a light punishment or none at all. The thief received only a small fine instead of a heavier punishment.
Example: The policeman let the boy off with a warning.
Complete sentence: The thief was let off with a small fine.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: Let away — Incorrect. "Let away" is not a phrasal verb in standard English; the phrase for escaping punishment is "get away with".
Option 3: Let by — Incorrect. Let by means to allow someone to pass; it has nothing to do with punishment.
Example: The guard stepped aside to let us by.
Option 4: Let in — Incorrect. Let in means to allow someone to enter a place.
Example: Please let the cat in.
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| let off | 21-05 S1 29-05 S2 | – | – | – | – |