let ʌp
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- let
- Particle:
- up
- Separable:
- No
What does "let up" mean?
- To become less intense or severe
- To stop or pause doing something continuously
- To relax effort or pressure
Examples
- The rain finally let up after three days.
- He never lets up; he's always working.
- If the pressure doesn't let up, I'll need a break.
- Don't let up now; we're almost finished!
- The heat should let up by evening.
How to use it
'Let-up' (noun) refers to a pause or reduction. 'Without let-up' means continuously without stopping. Common for weather, pressure, and continuous effort.
Similar expressions
ease
diminish
subside
relax
pause
Opposites
intensify
continue
persist
Related phrasal verbs
- let down
To disappoint someone by failing to do what they expected
- 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
- get up
To rise from bed after sleeping
- turn up
To increase the volume, heat, or intensity of something
Use it in a practice answer
Try "let up" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.