Let someone down
1.
Fail to support someone; also, disappoint someone. For example, I was counting on John to come, but he let me down, or The team didn’t want to let down the coach. [ Late 1400s ]
A British phrase with the same meaning is let the side down, alluding to some kind of competition (sports, politics) and dating from the mid-1900s. It is occasionally used in America.
2.
let someone down easy. Convey bad or disappointing news in a considerate way, so as to spare the person’s self-respect. For example, The teacher knew that Paul would have to repeat the course and that there was no way to let him down easy. [ ; mid-1700s ]
Also see: let down
Read Also:
- Let someone off
verb phrase To decline to pursue or prosecute someone: The prosecutor let him off because he was a pal of the mayor (1828+)
- Let something ride
verb phrase To let something go on as it is; decline to change or intervene: Let the same order ride for now (1921+)
- Let someone off the hook
verb phrase To relieve someone of responsibility or menace: They had already given me a lot. I wanted to let them off the hook (1960s+)
- Lett
[let] /lɛt/ noun 1. a member of a people, the chief inhabitants of Latvia, living on or near the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea; . 2. (def 3). 1. . /lɛt/ noun 1. another name for a Latvian 1831, from German Lette, from Old High German liuti “people” (German Leute). The native name is […]
- Letted
[let-id] /ˈlɛt ɪd/ verb 1. a simple past tense and past participle of 2 . [let] /lɛt/ verb (used with object), let, letting. 1. to allow or permit: to let him escape. 2. to allow to pass, go, or come: to let us through. 3. to grant the occupancy or use of (land, buildings, rooms, […]