let up — to become less intense, severe, or forceful; to stop or pause
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to become less intense, severe, or forceful; to stop or pause
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌlet ˈʌp/
Example Sentences
- My boss never lets up on the deadline pressure, even during lunch breaks.
- The traffic jam finally let up after the soccer match ended.
- Her nagging about cleaning my room won't let up until I actually do it.
let up
VERB[/ˌlet ˈʌp/]
to become less intense, severe, or forceful; to stop or pause
to become less intense, severe, or forceful; to stop or pause
When storms let up, we get up and set up for tomorrow
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The phrasal verb 'let up' emerged in the 14th century from the combination of 'let' (to allow, permit) and 'up' (upward direction). Originally meaning 'to loosen or slacken,' it evolved to denote 'to diminish or reduce in intensity.'
Breakdown
let (allow, permit) + up (upward, away), forming a phrasal verb where 'up' modifies the sense of 'let' to express cessation or reduction rather than mere permission.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My boss never lets up on the deadline pressure, even during lunch breaks.”
“The traffic jam finally let up after the soccer match ended.”
“Her nagging about cleaning my room won't let up until I actually do it.”
“The wind let up just as we were setting up the camping tent.”
📚Related Words
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