"Let off easy" refers to a situation where someone is allowed to escape punishment or hardship with little consequences. Antonyms for this phrase include "held accountable," "punished harshly," or "faced consequences." When someone is held accountable for their actions, they are being held responsible for the impact of their choices. Conversely, when someone is let off easy, they are not being held truly accountable for their behavior. Punishment also acts to deter individuals from making the same negative choices in the future. Therefore, when someone is punished harshly, they are less likely to repeat the same mistake. Rather than being let off easy, individuals often benefit from facing consequences of their actions.