let down - Definition & Meaning

let down

Third Person

lets down

Present Participle

letting down

Past Tense

let down

Past Participle

let down

to make someone disappointed by not meeting their expectations

transitive

The speaker's uninspiring presentation let down the audience, who had gathered with anticipation for an engaging and informative event.
The politician's empty promises and lack of action let down the voters who had placed their trust in them.
This car has never let me down, even in the harshest weather conditions.
The team's lackluster performance in the second half of the game let their coach down, who had faith in their abilities.

Synonyms:

to lower something that was previously raised or suspended

transitive

The crane operator carefully let the heavy load down onto the truck bed.
The pilot gradually let down the airplane, preparing for a smooth landing on the runway.
The sailor let the sails of the boat down, reducing its speed as it approached the harbor.
The construction worker let down the scaffolding, completing the repair work on the building's exterior.
The balloonist let down the anchor rope, securing the hot air balloon to the ground.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

to lengthen a piece of clothing, such as pants or a dress, by releasing or lowering the hem or seams

transitive

The tailor let the pants legs down, ensuring they reached the client's desired ankle length.
The seamstress let down the hem of the dress, allowing it to flow gracefully to the floor.
The designer let down the sleeves of the blouse, creating a more relaxed and comfortable fit.
The seamstress let down the seams of the dress to accommodate my daughter's growth spurt.

to hinder someone or something's ability to achieve their full potential or perform to their best capabilities

transitive

The company's outdated technology is letting them down in the competitive market.
The athlete's lack of stamina in the final stretch of the race let them down, preventing them from securing a victory.
The student's poor test-taking strategies are letting them down despite their understanding of the material.
The artist's self-doubt and lack of confidence let them down, preventing them from showcasing their full creative potential.
The speaker's lack of confidence and stage presence is letting them down, despite their well-prepared presentation.

to intentionally remove air from something that was previously inflated

transitive

The disgruntled employee let the air in the company's mascot costume down, disrupting the marketing campaign
The vandal let down the inflatable bouncy castle at the children's party, ruining the fun for everyone.
The hiker let down a small amount of air from their inflatable mattress to make it more comfortable for sleeping.
The kids let down the tires on my car, rendering it immobile.
The mischievous cat let the inflatable pool in the backyard down, leaving the dog without their usual summertime fun.