1Colloquial contraction of '放っておく'; to leave alone, ignore, or neglect something or someone (casual speech).
子猫をひとりで外に出したままほっとくのは危ないよ。
It's dangerous to leave a kitten outside all alone.
その問題は今はほっとくしかない。
For that issue, we can only leave it alone for now.
彼の悪口には構わず、ほっといてあげたほうがいい。
Don't pay attention to his insults; it's better to leave him alone.
仕事を放ったらかしにしてほっとくわけにはいかない。
I can't just neglect my work and leave it alone.