This expression means disappointing someone by failing to help or do what they expected.

The idea

Let down is common and neutral. Say let down the team or let the team down, but let them down. The past is also let.

Examples

  • I promised to help, but I let the team down.
  • Please do not let me down again.
  • The volunteer let down the neighbours by not arriving.
  • We felt we had let our friends down.
  • She will not let you down.
  • They let the whole group down by leaving early.

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Watch out

Do not put a pronoun after the particle: let down them is incorrect.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. Please do not let ___ again. (us down / down us)

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    us down

    us down: the pronoun comes before the particle.

  2. Choose the correct option. Yesterday I ___ my partner down. (let / letted)

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    let

    let: the past has the same form as the present.

  3. Choose the correct option. He promised to help his friend but let her ___. (down / up)

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    down

    down: the missed help disappointed the friend.

Use it today

Describe a promise to help and explain how someone might be disappointed.