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

Mr Foreman said the couple, who were arrested in January 2025 while on a global motorbike journey, felt "let down, alone and completely frustrated".

From BBC

Charities and MPs representing rural communities said they had been "let down" by the lack of regulation of heating oil.

From BBC

He remembers returning home feeling ashamed, believing he had let down his family and friends.

From BBC

The fella went through a whole physical routine, miming that she should let down the rope so he could climb up.

From Literature

Is he plotting something, waiting for me to let down my guard?

From Literature