let down by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let down by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that means to be disappointed or betrayed by someone or something. For example: I was really let down by my boss when she refused to give me the promotion I had worked so hard for.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We feel incredibly let down by TSB.

The Guardian - Money

"Rather let down by its user".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He has also been let down by an unpredictable temper.

The Economist

A diehard Democrat, she feels let down by President Obama.

Independent

But they were also let down by themselves.

Independent

"We feel very let down by the unions.

Independent

"Women are being let down by the system.

Independent

They have been let down by Labour's incompetence".

Independent

I don't remember feeling let down by her, or sad.

The New York Times

Ignacio Piatti has been let down by Montreal's front office.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The referee was let down by his assistant.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "let down by", ensure the subject experiencing disappointment is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The fans were let down by the team's performance."

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice when "let down by" is the central point. Instead of "Mistakes were let down by management", consider "Management let down the mistakes", which is more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let down by" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the cause of disappointment or failure. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to express a feeling of being failed or unsupported. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "let down by" is a common and grammatically sound way to express disappointment or a feeling of betrayal caused by someone or something. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous examples, indicates that this phrase is frequently used in news and media, as well as in more informal contexts. While it's versatile, ensure clarity by clearly stating who or what is causing the disappointment. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity, making it a reliable choice for expressing feelings of being failed or unsupported.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disappointed by

Focuses more on the emotional state of disappointment rather than the action of being failed.

failed by

Emphasizes the act of failing to meet expectations or provide support.

betrayed by

Suggests a sense of disloyalty or treachery from the source.

deceived by

Highlights the element of being misled or tricked.

forsaken by

Implies abandonment or being left alone in a difficult situation.

undermined by

Suggests a weakening or sabotaging action from the source.

let down due to

Shifts the focus to the cause of the disappointment rather than the agent.

unsupported by

Highlights a lack of assistance or backing from the source.

left wanting by

Emphasizes the feeling of lacking something essential due to the source's failure.

come up short by

Indicates that something did not reach the needed amount.

FAQs

How can I use "let down by" in a sentence?

You can use "let down by" to express disappointment or betrayal. For example, "I felt "let down by" the company when they didn't honor their promise."

What's a formal alternative to "let down by"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "disappointed by" or "failed by" as alternatives to ""let down by"".

Is it correct to say "I was let down from" instead of "I was let down by"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "let down" in this context is "by". "I was "let down by"" is the grammatically correct phrasing.

What's the difference between "let down by" and "disappointed in"?

"Let down by" typically implies an external source caused the disappointment, while "disappointed in" can refer to disappointment in oneself or someone else's character. For example, "I was "let down by" the service" versus "I am disappointed in your behavior".