1. to express one’s anger, usually noisily and harmlessly, thereby relieving one’s tension; to release one’s pent-up emotions, such as anger, usually verbally

1. Forgive me for yelling at you. I guess I just had to blow/let off some steam.

2. When my mother needs to blow off steam, she slams the cupboard doors.

3. She’s not that mad. She’s just letting off steam.

4. Call me any time you need to blow off some steam.

2. Fig. to work or play off excess energy

1. Those boys need to get out and let off some steam.

2. Go out and let off steam!

3. Lit. [for something] to release steam

1. The locomotive let off some steam after it came to a halt.

2. With a great hiss, it let off steam and frightened the children.