let someone down

Idioms

Fail to support someone; also, disappoint someone. For example, I was counting on John to come, but he let me down , or The team didn't want to let down the coach . [Late 1400s] A British phrase with the same meaning is let the side down , alluding to some kind of competition (sports, politics) and dating from the mid-1900s. It is occasionally used in America.
let someone down easy . Convey bad or disappointing news in a considerate way, so as to spare the person's self-respect. For example, The teacher knew that Paul would have to repeat the course and that there was no way to let him down easy . [ Colloquial ; mid-1700s] Also see let down .

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"There is no point me saying if someone has let someone down," he said.

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2025

There's a time and place for that," Berger had written. "The reason people are so upset on social media right now is not because the Marine on the battlefield let someone down.

From Fox News • Aug. 27, 2021

And if I’ve ever let someone down, if I’ve ever hurt their feelings, I am so sorry for that.

From Slate • Sep. 21, 2020

Again, I have to choose to let someone down, and this time it’s not going to be me.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023