Forget it vs Let it go

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

Forget it

Informal Top 2,000 (common)

Let it go

Top 2,000 (common)

Most formal: Let it go

	Forget it	Let it go
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //fərˈɡɛt ɪt// 🇺🇸 //fərˈɡɛt ɪt//	🇬🇧 //lɛt ɪt ɡəʊ// 🇺🇸 //lɛt ɪt ɡoʊ//
Meaning	Don't worry about it.	Stop worrying about something.
Example	If you didn’t understand, forget it.	You need to just let it go and move forward.
Register	Informal	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 2,000 (common)
Collocations	forget it all, just forget it, forget it for now	let it go now, let it go and move on, let it go for good
Antonyms	remember it, keep it in mind, never forget	hold on, cling, obsess
Common mistakes	Using in formal contexts where it sounds dismissive., Misplacing it in a sentence, as it stands alone., Confusing it with 'don't worry' which has a different nuance.	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
Usage notes	Use in casual conversations to dismiss something. Not suitable for formal settings or serious topics.	Use in informal settings to encourage someone to move on from a situation; less appropriate in serious contexts.

See it in real clips

Forget it. We go any deeper, we just raise the stakes.

Forget it. It's too risky. I'm through doing that shit.

The Lord Of The Rings › The return of the king

And I shall not forget it...

Forget it. We go any deeper, we just raise the stakes.

Forget it. It's too risky. I'm through doing that shit.

Forget it

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

Frequently asked questions: Forget it vs Let it go

What's the difference between Forget it and Let it go?

Forget it: Don't worry about it. Let it go: Stop worrying about something.

Which is more formal: Forget it and Let it go?

Let it go is the most formal of these.

Can you show an example of each?

Forget it: If you didn’t understand, forget it. Let it go: You need to just let it go and move forward.

Can I use Forget it and Let it go interchangeably?

Not always. Forget it and Let it go 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.