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.

In my opinion, it's important not to let your friends down, especially when they rely on you for support.

One small grammar move makes it sound right.

Not: I'm sorry to let ~~down you.~~

Say: I'm sorry to let you down.

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

Tap the one a native speaker would say.

Words that usually travel with it.

let + down

Other meanings and phrases to compare.

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