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

See Examples For:

let down

Robinson said he understood that many delegates felt "deceived and deeply let down by a life of lies", but he added that the party would "face the past honestly".

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

Sources close to Gabriel, who turns 16 on 6 October, feel let down by United, arguing promises around the pathway to the first team have not been kept.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

Although the Cincinnati Bengals have one of the NFL's most potent offences, they have been let down by their defence in the past three seasons.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

Voters on this continent feel lost and let down by parties they've supported over and again for decades.

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026

“So, when the prophecy says that I’ll have ‘power the Dark Lord knows not,’ it just means — love?” asked Harry, feeling a little let down.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• depressed
• despondent
• miserable
• not happy
• sorry