let up

British  

verb

1. to diminish, slacken, or stop

2. informal (foll by on) to be less harsh (towards someone)

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noun

1. informal a lessening or abatement

let up Idioms  

1. See let down , def. 2.

2. Cease, stop entirely, as in The rain has let up so we can go out . [Late 1700s]

3. let up on . Be or become more lenient with, take the pressure off, as in Why don't you let up on the child? [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

let up

Without a break, Dudamel began Estévez’s complex cantata, which he conducted from memory, with a searing fury that did not let up for 35 minutes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2026

The resistance efforts haven’t let up: A new grassroots organization called Box Elder Accountability Referendum filed for a process to allow voters to overturn the commission’s approval.

From Slate ● Jun. 1, 2026

However, after clawing her way back to 5-4 from 5-1 down in the tie-break, Raducanu's resistance let up and Sierra secured victory after an hour and 45 minutes.

From BBC ● May 24, 2026

The two men have traded barbs for years, and as it comes down the wire Mr. Trump hasn’t let up.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026

By now the rain has started to let up.

From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks