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Welcome to English in a Minute!
When you boil water, it lets off steam. But how do we use this phrase in a conversation?
Let Off Steam
Speaker A: What is wrong with that woman?
Speaker B: Katie? Nothing. Why do you ask?
Speaker A: Well, she’s outside hitting a tree.
Speaker B: She does that to let off steam.
Speaker A: Look, we all need to let out our frustrations. But why take it out on a poor tree?
When you let off steam, you release strong emotions or energy by doing something that relaxes you. For some people, simply talking about something is a good way to let off steam. For others, hitting a tree seems to work.
*This article has been edited and reprinted from VOA Learning English with permission from Voice of America (VOA) for use in English language materials.
English 
日本語