Cool MateLet it go vs Let's just forget it vs Move on
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Let it go
Top 2,000 (common)
Let's just forget it
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
Move on
Top 2,000 (common)
| Let it go | Let's just forget it | Move on | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //lɛt ɪt ɡəʊ//🇺🇸 //lɛt ɪt ɡoʊ// | 🇬🇧 //lɛts dʒʌst fəˈɡɛt ɪt//🇺🇸 //lɛts dʒʌst fərˈɡɛt ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //muːv ɒn//🇺🇸 //muːv ɑn// |
| Meaning | Stop worrying about something. | Don't think about it anymore. | To start doing something new after something else has ended. |
| Example | You need to just let it go and move forward. | After the argument, she said, 'Let's just forget it.' | After the breakup, it took her a while to move on. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (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 | move on from the past, move on to bigger things, move on in life, move on after loss, move on quickly |
| 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'. | Confused with 'move out', which means to leave a place., Using 'move on' without a context of change., Incorrect verb tense (e.g., saying 'moved on to' instead of 'move on to'). |
| 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. | Used when transitioning from one phase or idea to another. Common in conversations about change, but less formal in professional settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Let it go vs Let's just forget it vs Move on
What's the difference between Let it go, Let's just forget it, and Move on?
Let it go: Stop worrying about something. Let's just forget it: Don't think about it anymore. Move on: To start doing something new after something else has ended.
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.' Move on: After the breakup, it took her a while to move on.
Can I use Let it go, Let's just forget it, and Move on interchangeably?
Not always. Let it go, Let's just forget it, and Move on 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.