let on

verb

1. to allow (something, such as a secret) to be known; reveal

   he never let on that he was married

2. (tr) to cause or encourage to be believed; pretend

Idioms and Phrases

Reveal one's true feelings or a fact, allow something to be known, as in Don't let on that you met her before . This usage is probably a shortening of let it on someone . [c. 1700]

Pretend, as in He let on that he was very angry, but in fact he didn't care a bit . [First half of 1800s] Also see let in on .

Example Sentences

“Sonoda-san especially, he came from a different industry and I would think he endured a lot of hardship. But he didn’t let on about that being the case.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Sometimes we talk to workers who have been seasonal employees for multiple years and don’t get let on, and other people come in for the first time and are offered permanent employment.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As “Alien: Earth” skitters toward its season finale, it’s clear that this being intends to do worse than its sheepish gaze lets on.

Read more on Salon

Each was a genius in his way and they were on friendlier terms than they let on.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But there have been clues that it was more of a problem than he had been letting on.

Read more on BBC