Meaning trap

let down

disappoint someone

To fail to do what someone expects, making them feel disappointed or upset.

phrasal verbB1core

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

disappoint someone

To fail to do what someone expects, making them feel disappointed or upset.

let down (lower something)

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

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

I promised to help my friend move, but I let her down by not showing up.relationships
In my opinion, it's important not to let your friends down, especially when they rely on you for support.IELTS speaking

Pattern: let sb down

WrongI'm sorry to let down you.

RightI'm sorry to let you down.

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

Patternlet sb down

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff I do not wish to fail to meet your expectations.

Natural I don't want to let you down.

'Let (someone) down' is the natural verb for disappointing. 'Fail to meet your expectations' is corporate.

Words that usually travel with it.

Not the same as 'let someone go', which means to allow someone to leave.

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