let down
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle down
Meanings
Disappoint someone by failing to keep a promise
Why “down”? A structure, a system, or someone's mood can go down when it fails.
“Don't let me down again.”
“The team let the fans down.”
“I'm sorry I let you down.”
Lower something carefully
Why “down”? Movement goes from high to low.
“Let the rope down slowly.”
“They let the bucket down into the well.”
Deflate a tyre or balloon by releasing air
Why “down”? A level or amount becomes lower. This can happen to prices, sound, heat, or speed.
“Vandals let the tyres down.”
“Let the air mattress down before packing it.”
Don't confuse with
Let down means disappoint someone by failing to keep a promise. Let up means become less intense or stop.
Test yourself
“Don't let me down again.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
let up
A contrast learners often mix up
Become less intense or stop
back down
Same down pattern: losing
Withdraw from a position
bear down
Same down pattern: downward
Move quickly and threateningly toward someone
beat down
Same down pattern: downward
(of sun or rain) fall strongly and steadily
bend down
Same down pattern: downward
Lean the upper body downward
blow down
Same down pattern: downward
Cause something to fall by blowing
break down
Same down pattern: losing
(of a vehicle or machine) stop working; Lose emotional control and start crying; Separate something into smaller parts to understand it; (of negotiations or relationships) fail or end; Force a door open by hitting it; Decompose into simpler chemical substances
bring down
Same down pattern: downward
Cause something to fall or land; Make something lower in level or amount; Cause a government or leader to lose power; Make someone feel sad or depressed
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