a symbol of letting go of the past

[angliholic]

It's an Italian custom to throw old belongings out the window as a symbol of letting go of the past.




Would it be better to reword the bolded part as "a symbol of letting the past go out?" If not, what does it mean? is it "a symbol of getting rid of the past?" Thanks.

[BobK]

It's an Italian custom to throw old belongings out the window as a symbol of letting go of the past.




Would it be better to reword the bolded part as "a symbol of letting the past go out?" If not, what does it mean? is it "a symbol of getting rid of the past?" Thanks.

Nearly, but with more emphasis on the agent (the person who is letting go). Each person throwing old belongings out of the window is saying (well, implying) 'I will no longer be held back by feelings about tradition or obsessions I have had until now with what has happened in the past'. In other words, to borrow a '60s slogan, 'Today is the first day of the rest of my life.'

This sort of 'letting go' has become more popular among 'pop' psychologists in recent years: 'When your children grow up, you must know how to let go. They have their own lives to lead, and you must let them make their own mistakes.'

b

[baqarah131]

"Getting rid of" is very negative. You get rid of cockroaches, mice, telemarketers, things you strongly dislike and don't want around you.

"Letting go" is neutral. Letting go of the past means concentrating on the present and future. It doesn't mean that the past was bad, only that it's over, done with, finished. Don't focus on your past failures, successes, etc. Get on with your life.

We often say "I'll let you go now" as a way of ending a conversation, especially on the telephone.

So now I'll let you get back to your studies.
edward

It's an Italian custom to throw old belongings out the window as a symbol of letting go of the past.


Would it be better to reword the bolded part as "a symbol of letting the past go out?" If not, what does it mean? is it "a symbol of getting rid of the past?" Thanks.

[angliholic]

Nearly, but with more emphasis on the agent (the person who is letting go). Each person throwing old belongings out of the window is saying (well, implying) 'I will no longer be held back by feelings about tradition or obsessions I have had until now with what has happened in the past'. In other words, to borrow a '60s slogan, 'Today is the first day of the rest of my life.'

This sort of 'letting go' has become more popular among 'pop' psychologists in recent years: 'When your children grow up, you must know how to let go. They have their own lives to lead, and you must let them make their own mistakes.'

b

Thanks, Bob.
Gotcha!

"Getting rid of" is very negative. You get rid of cockroaches, mice, telemarketers, things you strongly dislike and don't want around you.

"Letting go" is neutral. Letting go of the past means concentrating on the present and future. It doesn't mean that the past was bad, only that it's over, done with, finished. Don't focus on your past failures, successes, etc. Get on with your life.

We often say "I'll let you go now" as a way of ending a conversation, especially on the telephone.

So now I'll let you get back to your studies.
edward

Thanks, Edward.
With your help, I'm getting to know more about English and your culture.

[beascarpetta]

We often say "I'll let you go now" as a way of ending a conversation, especially on the telephone.

thank you very much for commenting on this phrase

[angliholic]

thank you very much for commenting on this phrase

Hi, beascarpetta.
I couldn't figure out why you said that. Din't you know that the phrase implied that before?

[beascarpetta]

Hi, beascarpetta.
I couldn't figure out why you said that. Din't you know that the phrase implied that before?

no,I did,actually,but a very good friend of mine(newly wed at that) thought her mother-in-law was upset about sg she had said on the phone when said British mother-in-law ended the conversation this way
so whenever that phrase comes up ....

[angliholic]

no,I did,actually,but a very good friend of mine(newly wed at that) thought her mother-in-law was upset about sg she had said on the phone when said British mother-in-law ended the conversation this way
so whenever that phrase comes up ....

Thanks, beascarpetta.

I think I got what you meant except the bolded part.

[beascarpetta]

sorry,I got ahead of myself
I meant to say that my friend's English is very good, but her mother tongue is not English and so she tries especially hard not to make any mistakes and to please her British mother-in-law.
So when said (above-mentioned)mother-in-law said , "I'll let you go now" , she thought she had committed a major crime without knowing it.

[angliholic]

sorry,I got ahead of myself
I meant to say that my friend's English is very good, but her mother tongue is not English and so she tries especially hard not to make any mistakes and to please her British mother-in-law.
So when said (above-mentioned)mother-in-law said , "I'll let you go now" , she thought she had committed a major crime without knowing it.

Thanks, beascarpetta.
Gotcha.