The Village Idiom

let down

The idiom "let down" means to disappoint or fail to fulfill someone's expectations or hopes.

Filed under L

In a sentence

  • She was really counting on her friend to help her move, but he let her down at the last minute.
  • The team worked hard to prepare for the match, but their performance on the field let down their coach.
  • He promised to finish the project on time, but his failure to do so really let down his colleagues.

Where it comes from and how it is used

The idiom "let someone down gently" is a variation of the phrase "let down". It is often used when someone wants to soften the blow of disappointing or failing another person. Instead of simply "letting them down", the phrase "let someone down gently" implies a more careful, considerate approach to delivering bad news or not meeting someone's expectations.

When using the idiom "let someone down gently", the word "gently" adds a sense of compassion and empathy to the act of disappointing someone. It suggests that the person delivering the news or failing to meet expectations is aware of the other person's feelings and is making an effort to minimize the impact of the disappointment.

Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.