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let alone

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let alone someone or something

not to mention or think of someone or something; not even to take someone or something into account. (Fixed order.) Do I have a dollar? I don't even have a dime, let alone a dollar. I didn't invite John, let alone the rest of his family.

See also: alone, let

let someone or something alone

 and leave someone or something alone; leave someone or something be

to avoid touching, bothering, or communicating with someone or something. Leave me alone. I don't want your help. Let it alone! Don't touch it! It may be hot!

See also: alone, let

let alone do something

and to an even greater degree do something We were trapped in a situation you can barely imagine, let alone understand.

Usage notes: used to emphasize the extreme character of something

Related vocabulary: not to mention somebody/something

See also: alone, let

let somebody alone

to not annoy or interrupt someone leave somebody alone I tried to keep my promise not to call her, to let her alone to think, but finally I needed to talk to her.

See also: alone, let

let alone

1. See leave someone alone.

2. Not to mention, as in We have no room for another house guest, let alone an entire family. [c. 1800]

See also: alone, let

let alone

Not to mention; much less: "Their ancestors had been dirt poor and never saw royalty, let alone hung around with them" (Garrison Keillor).

See also: alone, let