Phrasal verb
let down
Meanings
To disappoint someone by not meeting expectations or failing to support them.
To lower something to a lower position (for example, by releasing a rope or mechanism).
Definition
To let down means to disappoint someone by failing to do what they hoped or expected.
If someone lets you down, they disappoint you because they do not do what they promised or what you were counting on. It often involves broken plans, missed deadlines, or not giving support when it is needed. The feeling is usually stronger than simple annoyance because trust is affected.
Examples
- I hate to let down my teammates, so I practiced extra this week.
- You really let down your friend when you forgot her birthday dinner.
- He let down his manager by missing the deadline without warning.
- They won’t let down their fans—they’re rehearsing every night.
- The technician let down the platform slowly with a control lever.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say "let down someone" instead of placing a pronoun in the middle (correct: "let me down," not "let down me").
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.