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let up on — to be less harsh, critical, or demanding toward someone

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to be less harsh, critical, or demanding toward someone

Pronunciation (IPA): /lɛt ʌp ɑn/

Example Sentences

  • My mom finally let up on me about cleaning my room after I got straight A's.
  • The boss should let up on new employees during their first month.
  • The teacher refused to let up on students who didn't do homework, even on Fridays.

let up on

VERB

[/lɛt ʌp ɑn/]

to be less harsh, critical, or demanding toward someone

a previously angry boss puts down a stack of papers and places a gentle hand on a stressed employee's shoulder. The boss's facial expression softens from a frown to a concerned, understanding look. The employee, who was hunched over with worry, begins to relax and look up with relief. Before this moment, the employee appeared overwhelmed with work and fear, but now shows visible comfort. Other coworkers in the background notice the change and smile approvingly at the boss's gentler approach. someone being less harsh, critical, or demanding toward another person
💡 Concept

a previously angry boss puts down a stack of papers and places a gentle hand on a stressed employee's shoulder. The boss's facial expression softens from a frown to a concerned, understanding look. The employee, who was hunched over with worry, begins to relax and look up with relief. Before this moment, the employee appeared overwhelmed with work and fear, but now shows visible comfort. Other coworkers in the background notice the change and smile approvingly at the boss's gentler approach. someone being less harsh, critical, or demanding toward another person

He bet upon their dreams, let up on the pressure, watched them get up on the winner's stage!
🎵 Rhyme

He bet upon their dreams, let up on the pressure, watched them get up on the winner's stage!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/lɛt ʌp ɑn/
🇬🇧 UK/lɛt ʌp ɒn/

🌳Etymology

Rootlet

Origin

The phrase 'let up on' derives from Old English 'lætan' (to allow, permit), combined with the adverbial particles 'up' and 'on'. The expression emerged in early 20th-century English to denote a relaxation or reduction in intensity, pressure, or severity toward a target or subject.

Breakdown

let (from Old English 'lætan': to allow, release) + up (indicating reduction or mitigation in degree or intensity) + on (preposition marking the object or target of the action).

🎵Rhyme

set up onget up onbet upon
set up on
get up on
bet upon

🔗Collocations

let up on someone
let up on the pressure
let up on criticism
let up on demands
let up on the rules

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My mom finally let up on me about cleaning my room after I got straight A's.”

“The boss should let up on new employees during their first month.”

😄 Fun example

“The teacher refused to let up on students who didn't do homework, even on Fridays.”

😄 Fun example

“Please let up on the diet restrictions for the wedding cake tasting.”

📚Related Words

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