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Phrasal verbs "let down" vs "live down"

Differences between let down and live down

Let down means to disappoint someone or fail to meet their expectations, while live down means to overcome or forget about a past mistake or embarrassment.

Meanings and Definitions: let down vs live down

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Let down

  • 1Disappoint, fail to keep an arrangement.

    She failed to turn up and I felt badly LET DOWN.

  • 2Make clothes longer.

    He's grown so much, we'll have to LET his trousers DOWN.

Live down

  • 1Stop being embarrassed about something.

    If I fail the test and everyone else passes, I'll never be able to LIVE it DOWN.

Usage Examples: let down, live down in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

let down

Example

I don't want to let down my team by not showing up for practice.

Example

She always lets down her friends when they need her the most.

live down

Example

She hopes to live down the embarrassing moment from the party.

Example

He lives down his past mistakes and moves on.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Let down

disappoint

To fail to meet someone's expectations or hopes.

Example

I was really disappointed when my favorite band canceled their concert.

fall short

To fail to reach a goal or expectation.

Example

The company's sales fell short of their target for the quarter.

drop the ball

To fail to do something that one was expected to do.

Example

I dropped the ball by forgetting to send the important email to my boss.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Live down

put behind

To forget about or move on from a past mistake or experience.

Example

It's time to put that mistake behind you and focus on the future.

get over

To recover from a difficult or embarrassing experience.

Example

It took her a while to get over the embarrassment of falling in front of her colleagues.

move past

To overcome or forget about a past mistake or experience.

Example

He's finally been able to move past the trauma of his childhood and live a happy life.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “let”

Phrasal Verbs with “live”

Differences in let down vs live down: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: let down or live down?

Both phrases are used in everyday conversation, but let down is more common. It's often used in situations where someone has failed to fulfill a promise or expectation. On the other hand, live down is less common and usually used in more specific contexts, such as when someone is trying to move on from a past mistake or embarrassment.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of let down and live down

Both let down and live down are informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, live down may be considered slightly more formal than let down because it's often used in more serious contexts.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of let down and live down

The tone of let down is usually negative and disappointed, while the tone of live down is more positive and hopeful. Let down is often used in situations where someone has failed to meet expectations, while live down is used when someone is trying to move on from a past mistake or embarrassment.

let down & live down: Synonyms and Antonyms

Live down

Synonyms

Antonyms

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