"Let sth go" vs "Let go of sth"

[Kapcha]

Do these sentences mean the same?

1. Don't let the rope go.
2. Don't let go of the rope.

(The sentences are from Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, the word "Let")

Thanks.

[Dozy]

Yes, in this case they mean the same thing.

In other cases there may be a difference. E.g. "Don't let go of the train" could mean "Don't release your physical grasp of (some part of) the train", but "Don't let the train go" means "Don't allow the train to leave/depart".

[Kapcha]

Got it. Great explanation. Thank you.