let'slet’s /lets/ ●●● S1 
Thesaurus
Let’s go!USAGE: Let's, let's not• You say: · Let's not argue. In British English, you can also say: · Don't let's argue. ✗Don't say: Let's don't argue.• Don't confuse let's and lets. You write: · Let's introduce ourselves. ✗Don't write: Lets introduce ourselves.
ThesaurusLongman Language Activatorwhat you say when you think someone should admit something► let's face it
Collocations say this when you want other people to admit that something, especially an unpleasant fact, is true: · Let's face it, the England team are not good enough to beat Holland.· People are basically selfish, let's face it.
► there's no getting around something say this when you want other people to admit that something, especially an unpleasant fact, is true and that it cannot be changed : there's no getting around it: · There's no getting around it - we'll have to start again from the beginning.there's no getting around the fact that: · There's no getting around the fact that most people prefer to travel to work in their own cars, rather than by bus or train.
► you can't escape the fact that say this when you want other people to admit that something, especially an unpleasant fact, is true and that it cannot be changed : · We cannot escape the fact that Mr. Mireki's death arose from a job-related activity.· You can't escape the fact that we all have to die some day.
what you say when you hope something will happen► hopefully spoken say this when you hope something will happen: · He's been resting today, so hopefully he'll be feeling better tomorrow.· Hopefully we can find a way of solving this problem.
► with any luck also with a little luck spoken say this when you hope something will happen, even though there is a small chance it might not: · With any luck, we'll have this finished by the end of the day.· With a little luck, Ruth will forget all about the party.
► let's hope spoken say this when you hope that something will happen, especially because it will be very unpleasant if it does not: · Let's hope we can find a parking space.· The whole thing has been nothing but heartache and worry. Let's hope nothing like it ever happens again.
► if all goes well spoken say this when you hope something will be successful, but you know that success depends on everything happening in the right way: · If all goes well, I'll be sailing from Vera Cruz in about a week.· The tunnel should be finished by 2010 if all goes well.
to make something start happening► start to make something start happening: · The police have already started an investigation.· The referee couldn't start the game because there were fans on the field.· A 'safe neighbourhood' campaign has been started by local residents.
► launch: launch an attack/appeal/inquiry etc to start a public or military activity, when there is a clear aim that you want to achieve: · Rebel forces launched an attack on the capital.· Police are launching a major murder inquiry.· The local hospital has launched a campaign to raise money for new X-ray equipment.
► open: open an investigation/inquiry to start an official process of gathering information about a particular problem, in order to find out what caused it or to find a solution: · Police have opened an investigation into the girl's disappearance.· The Football Association are to open an inquiry into recent crowd trouble.
► initiate formal to start something such as an official process or discussion about something important: · Peace talks have been initiated in an attempt to avert full scale war.· The couple plan to initiate legal proceedings against the police.
► spark off to make something happen, especially something serious, difficult, or important: · The murder sparked off a wave of protests in the city.· Recent freak weather conditions have sparked off renewed fears about the effects of global warming.
► set in motion also set into motion American to start a process or series of events that will continue for a long time even if you take no further action: · A few months later the divorce procedure was set in motion.· The government had already set into motion a series of reforms.· Wait's actions had set in motion a chain of events that would eventually result in his dismissal.
► get/start/set the ball rolling informal to start a meeting, discussion, event etc by doing something in order to encourage other people to take part in it as well: · Mark stood up and asked the first question to get the ball rolling.· To start the ball rolling, the government was asked to contribute £50,000 to the new charity.
► get things moving to make a process start by doing or arranging the first part of it, after which it will become easier: · Change is certainly needed and the new headteacher needs to get things moving quickly.· Once we got things moving, the deal went through very quickly.
► (let's) get this show on the road spoken use this to say that you now want to start something that you have been planning: · Are you all packed and ready? Right, let's get this show on the road.· We're having another meeting next week, hopefully to really get this show on the road.
what you say to suggest something► can/may I make a suggestion use this to suggest something politely, especially when you think someone may be making a mistake: · Can I make a suggestion? Try adding a little more flour.· May I make a suggestion? I think we should stop and look at the map.
► I propose (that) spoken use this for formally suggesting something that you think should be done, especially at a meeting: · I propose that we continue this meeting tomorrow.
► why don't you/we/I etc informal say this when you think it would be a good idea to do something: · Why don't you wait for me downstairs? I won't be long.· If David wants someone to go with him, why doesn't he ask Jacky? I'm sure she'd enjoy it.· Why don't we go watch a movie tonight?
► how about/what about informal use this to suggest something or offer something: · "How about a brandy?'' said Tom.· What about going out for lunch one day next week? When are you free?
► maybe/perhaps spoken use this to suggest something in a gentle way: · Maybe we should try again tomorrow.· Perhaps you ought to introduce her to my son. They should get on well.
► let's: let's go/have/do etc use this when you want to suggest something that you and the people you are with should do: · Come on, let's dance.· We both need a break. Let's go away for the weekend.let's not: · Let's not argue on our anniversary.don't let's (British): · Come on, don't let's waste any more time here.
► we may as well use this to suggest something that is not very interesting or exciting, when you do not have any better ideas: · It's too late to go to the movies so we may as well watch TV.· I think we might as well buy this one. We're not going to find anything cheaper.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY► '
the short form of ‘let us’, used especially to make suggestions: · Let's introduce ourselves.
Let’s go!USAGE: Let's, let's not• You say: · Let's not argue. In British English, you can also say: · Don't let's argue. ✗Don't say: Let's don't argue.• Don't confuse let's and lets. You write: · Let's introduce ourselves. ✗Don't write: Lets introduce ourselves.