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

The gruelling French farm tracks with their jagged cobblestones seem barely fit for a cow's hoof, let alone a Lycra-clad cyclists' thin tyre and ultra-light bike.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Blood Orange has consistently penned enough hits to fill an entire set with them, let alone cement himself as one of the mostly highly anticipated performances at this year’s festival.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Even accounting for bluster, bluff, and negotiation tactics, it’s an extraordinary statement from any world leader, let alone a U.S. president, to make.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Whether all of that was worth the cost, let alone worth tuning into, is up for debate.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

I barely saw Grandma sit down, let alone take to bed.

From "Finding Langston" by Lesa Cline-Ransome