What are the definitions of “let up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1To continue without stopping or becoming less intense.
She’s a coach who never lets up on her players.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “let up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb let up is to become less intense or to stop. It is often used to describe weather, pressure, or a difficult situation that becomes easier or stops.
What are the different verb forms of “let up”?
| Root Verb | let up |
| Third Person Singular Present | lets up |
| Present Participle | letting up |
| Simple Past | let up |
| Past Participle | let up |
Example
I hope the rain lets up soon.
Example
The storm lets up after a few hours.
Example
The snow is letting up, so we can go outside.
Example
The rain finally let up and we could go for a walk.
Example
The pressure at work has let up since we finished the project.
What kind of phrasal verb is “let up”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“let up” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
The rain let up after a few hours.
Example
The pain finally let up when I took some medicine.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“let up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The rain let up after a few hours.
Example
The pain finally let up when I took some medicine.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “let up”?
Good things to know
Does “let up” have an informal or formal tone?
Let up is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal situations. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the context.
