Let it go vs Let's just forget it

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Let it go

Top 2,000 (common)

Let's just forget it

Informal Top 3,000 (common)

Most formal: Let it go Most common: Let it go

	Let it go	Let's just forget it
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //lɛt ɪt ɡəʊ// 🇺🇸 //lɛt ɪt ɡoʊ//	🇬🇧 //lɛts dʒʌst fəˈɡɛt ɪt// 🇺🇸 //lɛts dʒʌst fərˈɡɛt ɪt//
Meaning	Stop worrying about something.	Don't think about it anymore.
Example	You need to just let it go and move forward.	After the argument, she said, 'Let's just forget it.'
Register	Neutral	Informal
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 3,000 (common)
Collocations	let it go now, let it go and move on, let it go for good	forget about it, just let it go, move on from it
Antonyms	hold on, cling, obsess	-
Common mistakes	Omitting the object, saying 'let go' instead of 'let it go', Confusing with 'let go', which means to release physically, Using it in formal writing or speeches	Using it in formal discussions., Confusing it with 'let's remember it'., Saying 'lets' instead of 'let's'.
Usage notes	Use in informal settings to encourage someone to move on from a situation; less appropriate in serious contexts.	Used in casual conversations to indicate abandoning a topic. Usually appropriate among friends, but may sound dismissive in formal situations.

See it in real clips

Can't we just let it go?

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

Let it go.

The Lord Of The Rings › The return of the king

Just let it go.

Can't we just let it go?

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

Let it go.

Let it go

- Let's just forget it. - That's an impossibility.

Let's just forget it

Frequently asked questions: Let it go vs Let's just forget it

What's the difference between Let it go and Let's just forget it?

Let it go: Stop worrying about something. Let's just forget it: Don't think about it anymore.

Which is more formal: Let it go and Let's just forget it?

Let it go is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Let it go and Let's just forget it?

Let it go is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Let it go: You need to just let it go and move forward. Let's just forget it: After the argument, she said, 'Let's just forget it.'

Can I use Let it go and Let's just forget it interchangeably?

Not always. Let it go and Let's just forget it are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.