let down

British  

verb

1. (also preposition) to lower

2. to fail to fulfil the expectations of (a person); disappoint

3. to undo, shorten, and resew (the hem) so as to lengthen (a dress, skirt, etc)

4. to untie (long hair that is bound up) and allow to fall loose

5. to deflate

   to let down a tyre

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noun

1. a disappointment

2. the gliding descent of an aircraft in preparation for landing

3. the release of milk from the mammary glands following stimulation by the hormone oxytocin

let down Idioms  

1. Cause to descend, lower, as in They let down the sails . [Mid-1100s]

2. Also, let up . Slacken, abate, as in Sales are letting down in this quarter , or They didn't let up in their efforts until the end . The first term dates from the mid-1800s, the variant from the late 1700s.

3. See let someone down . Also see let one's hair down .

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Example Sentences

He added that the party had been "badly, badly, badly let down" by its former chief executive, and said Murrell's guilty plea was "an admission of a terrible breach of trust and an overwhelming betrayal".

From BBC • May 26, 2026

That’s because the public that has bought into its inflated spiel may end up being let down with a jolt.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

Former Southampton managers, players and the club's fans have spoken of feeling badly let down.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Jordan said he felt let down that these sanctions were those "usually available only for minor concerns".

From BBC • May 15, 2026

He paused long enough to let down the hood into its proper shape.

From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli