let (one) down gently



let (one) down gently

To deliver bad news to someone in the kindest or least upsetting way possible. When you tell Ed that somebody already asked you to the dance, please let him down gently. I tried to let Susan down gently, but she burst into tears nonetheless.
See also: down

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
CiroCHEE-ro (Italian), THEE-ro (Spanish), SEE-ro (Latin American Spanish)Italian, Spanish
Rohan (2)-Literature
Savino-Italian
Feodosiy-Russian
Burt[bɜ:t]
Asch[æʃ]