let alone

Idioms  

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]

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Example Sentences

By early 1942, “many senior officers wondered whether the German Army could defend itself, let alone take the offensive,” Mr. Hargreaves observes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 23, 2026

To be clear: There is no indication the players’ union is willing to consider, let alone approve, a salary cap.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2026

If they do, then they will be ordered to retake them: "We don't have enough people to hold on to what we still control, let alone organise assaults."

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026

The memorandum of understanding gives it plenty before securing commitments of substance on the nuclear program, let alone on missiles or proxies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

To her mother’s inquiries she answered that she was quite well, and Jo’s she silenced by begging to be let alone.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott