Meaning trap

let down

lower something

To move something to a lower position, usually slowly and carefully.

phrasal verbB2occasional

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

lower something

To move something to a lower position, usually slowly and carefully.

let down (disappoint someone)

Another meaning of 'let down' is 'disappoint someone'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

He let the rope down slowly so the climber could reach the ground safely.daily life
During the experiment, we had to let the equipment down carefully to avoid any damage.IELTS speaking

Pattern: let sth down

WrongLet down it gently.

RightLet it down gently.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle — 'let it down', not 'let down it'.

Patternlet sth down

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff She gradually lowered the rope into the well.

Natural She let the rope down slowly.

'Let down' is the natural verb for lowering something on a line or by hand. 'Gradually lowered' is flatter.

Words that usually travel with it.

'Let down' is about lowering, while 'put down' is about placing.

let down (disappoint someone) — Another meaning of 'let down' is 'disappoint someone'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.