let daʊn
neutral
beginner
- Base verb:
- let
- Particle:
- down
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "let down" mean?
- To disappoint someone by failing to do what they expected
- To lower something
- To make a piece of clothing longer
- To deflate (tire, balloon)
Examples
- I'm sorry I let you down; I should have been there.
- Let down the blinds to block the sunlight.
- She had to let down the hem of the dress.
- Someone let down the tires on my car.
- Don't let me down; I'm counting on you.
How to use it
'Letdown' (noun) is a disappointment. 'Let your hair down' means to relax and enjoy yourself. Being 'let down' emphasizes broken trust or expectations.
Word order
Object can go between: 'let someone down' (disappointment). For lowering: 'let the rope down'. Pronouns must go between: 'let me down'.
Similar expressions
disappoint
fail
lower
lengthen
deflate
Opposites
support
impress
raise
shorten
inflate
Related phrasal verbs
- let in
To allow someone or something to enter
- let out
To allow someone or something to leave
- let off
To not punish someone or to give them a lighter punishment
- let up
To become less intense or severe
- turn down
To reduce the volume, heat, or intensity of something
- bring down
To cause something to fall or collapse
Use it in a practice answer
Try "let down" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.