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let down

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let down

to relax one's efforts or vigilance. Now is no time to let down. Keep on your guard. After the contest was over, Jane let down a bit so she could relax.

See also: down, let

let someone down

to disappoint someone; to fail someone. I'm sorry I let you down. Something came up, and I couldn't meet you. I don't want to let you down, but I can't support you in the election.

See also: down, let

let someone or something down

Fig. to fail someone or something; to disappoint someone or a group. Please don't let me down. I am depending on you. I let down the entire cast of the play.

See also: down, let

let somebody down

to disappoint someone, usually by not doing something I know it's silly, but I feel like everyone lets me down when I really need help.

See also: down, let

let down

1. Cause to descend, lower, as in They let down the sails. [Mid-1100s]

2. Also, let up. Slacken, abate, as in Sales are letting down in this quarter, or They didn't let up in their efforts until the end. The first term dates from the mid-1800s, the variant from the late 1700s.

3. See let someone down. Also see let one's hair down.

See also: down, let

let down

v.

1. To cause to fall to a lower level; lower something: The tailor let down the hem of my new pants. If you let your hair down, I can braid it. It's time to let down the sails.

2. To fail to meet the expectations of someone; disappoint someone: The contractor really let us down when the kitchen wasn't ready in time for Thanksgiving. When the school board had to cancel the sports program, they really let down the community.

3. To hinder the success or progress of someone or something: It would have been a good book, but the slow pacing lets it down a bit.

4. To be released from the breast as breast milk: She tried to breastfeed her newborn infant, but her milk wouldn't let down.

See also: down, let