WordLens

let down

1 of 1verb
/ˈlɛt ˈdaʊn/
Forms:lets down,letting down,let down,let down
1

to make someone disappointed by not meeting their expectations

B2transitive
  • The speaker's uninspiring presentation let down the audience, who had gathered with anticipation for an engaging and informative event.
  • The politician's empty promises and lack of action let down the voters who had placed their trust in them.
  • This car has never let me down, even in the harshest weather conditions.
  • The team's lackluster performance in the second half of the game let their coach down, who had faith in their abilities.
Synonyms:
disappoint
2

to lower something that was previously raised or suspended

transitive
  • The crane operator carefully let the heavy load down onto the truck bed.
  • The pilot gradually let down the airplane, preparing for a smooth landing on the runway.
  • The sailor let the sails of the boat down, reducing its speed as it approached the harbor.
  • The construction worker let down the scaffolding, completing the repair work on the building's exterior.
  • The balloonist let down the anchor rope, securing the hot air balloon to the ground.
Synonyms:
bring downget downtake downlower
Antonyms:
raise
3

to lengthen a piece of clothing, such as pants or a dress, by releasing or lowering the hem or seams

transitive
  • The tailor let the pants legs down, ensuring they reached the client's desired ankle length.
  • The seamstress let down the hem of the dress, allowing it to flow gracefully to the floor.
  • The designer let down the sleeves of the blouse, creating a more relaxed and comfortable fit.
  • The seamstress let down the seams of the dress to accommodate my daughter's growth spurt.
4

to hinder someone or something's ability to achieve their full potential or perform to their best capabilities

transitive
  • The company's outdated technology is letting them down in the competitive market.
  • The athlete's lack of stamina in the final stretch of the race let them down, preventing them from securing a victory.
  • The student's poor test-taking strategies are letting them down despite their understanding of the material.
  • The artist's self-doubt and lack of confidence let them down, preventing them from showcasing their full creative potential.
  • The speaker's lack of confidence and stage presence is letting them down, despite their well-prepared presentation.
5

to intentionally remove air from something that was previously inflated

transitive
  • The disgruntled employee let the air in the company's mascot costume down, disrupting the marketing campaign
  • The vandal let down the inflatable bouncy castle at the children's party, ruining the fun for everyone.
  • The hiker let down a small amount of air from their inflatable mattress to make it more comfortable for sleeping.
  • The kids let down the tires on my car, rendering it immobile.
  • The mischievous cat let the inflatable pool in the backyard down, leaving the dog without their usual summertime fun.