let someone down

let down

1. verb To cause or allow someone or something to descend. In all usages as a verb, a noun or pronoun can be used between "let" and "down." I'll let down a rope ladder for you to climb up to the treehouse. The helicopter let the rescue worker down on a harness.
2. verb To fail or disappoint someone; to neglect or be unable to do what was wanted, required, or promised to someone. Dad said he'd be here to watch my baseball game, but he let me down again. We're counting on you to close this deal, Robert—don't let down the firm.
3. verb To lower the amount of effort, attention, or focus placed on something. We'll wait long enough for them to let down their guard before we launch our invasion. After her last relationship, she found it hard to let her defenses down around men.
4. verb To lengthen a garment by extending the extra cloth in its hem. I love this dress, but it's just a bit too short. I wonder if my tailor could let it down a bit.
5. verb To make a metal slightly more ductile or malleable in the process of tempering. The blacksmith let the spear down in order to reshape it. We should let down the temper on this steel to give it a bit more flexibility.
6. noun Something that is disappointing or anticlimactic. In this usage, the phrase is often spelled with a hyphen or as a single word. Not getting tickets to the game after my aunt promised them to us is a real let down. I was really excited about my new job, but now that I've been in it for a while, it's kind of been a let-down.
See also: down, let
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

let someone down

1. 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.
2. 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.
See also: down, let, someone
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • bear down
  • ask down
  • call down
  • clean down
  • chow down
  • chow something down
  • clunk
  • clunk down
  • brush down
  • button down
References in periodicals archive
Asked when he last let someone down, he said: "I feel I'm letting down Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe every single day that she remains in jail while I'm Foreign Secretary."
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED YESTERDAY
Capricorn Dec 22 Jan 20 There could be a change of heart over an arrangement, and you might need to let someone down as a result.
Horoscopes
Pisces Feb 20 to Mar 20 You have made mistakes along the way and now feel you've let someone down badly by making wrong choices.
STARS; OUR ASTROLOGER RUSSELL GRANT ON YOUR WEEK AHEAD
For weekly readings call 0903 658 2005 (75p/min + access charge) For weekly readings call 0903 658 2011 (75p/min + access charge) GEMINI MAY 22 - JUNE 21 SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 21 Your diary or schedule may be packed full this weekend, and you will have to try to let someone down gently.
YOUR HOROSCOPE WITH
our diary or schedule maybe packed full this weekend, and you will have to try to let someone down gently.
YOUR HOROSCOPE
Consider the consequences if, for instance, you let someone down who is relying on you.
STARS
I personally hate it when we get complaints because you have let someone down.
Nigel showed teachers he 'could do better' IN THE COMPANY OF ... Nigel Spiers, head of distribution at SSaannllaammUUKK,, RRhhyyll
He chose to suffer in silence rather than to feel he let someone down, or hurt his family."
Oklahoma Player's Death: 'Powerful' Drugs Caused Fatal Overdose
But when you get it wrong you have to hold your hands up and take responsibility, particularly when you have taken money and let someone down. This is something that companies in the UAE seemingly have no concept of.
Businesses in UAE must be responsible
You may have to let someone down at the start of this week.
Your Stars
You have to let someone down and you don't want to, but you know it's inevitable.
YourStars
To find out more 0901 6093148 SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23/Dec 21): You don't want to let someone down but you know it's inevitable.
Claire Petulengro
"Teen's Guide to Not Being Perfect" is an inspirational guide for teens to help them come to terms with that they can't do everything in their lives perfectly and how to live their lives to the fullest when realizing you might let someone down, you might not be able to solve all the world's problems, and you might feel bad about yourself while doing so.
The Self-Help Shelf
If you are faced with some options for today, will you keep everyone in the picture and then gently let someone down, or will you keep your choices to yourself?
Your stars
Yes, you have let someone down but no you did not have an option.
Your star with