let on

British  

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

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let on Idioms  

1. 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]

2. 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 .

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Example Sentences

The total cost to train and run DeepSeek’s model was exponentially higher than the company let on, and investors failed to consider that businesses generally wouldn’t use Chinese models due to security concerns.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2025

If the no vote of his former ally in McConnell fazed him, the president didn't let on.

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2025

Still, Carter’s environmental legacy is far more complex than many advocates let on.

From Slate • Dec. 30, 2024

“Well, even if she had seen a fairy, she would never have been able to let on that she had,” she said.

From "Ash" by Malinda Lo