let up

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Explanation of "Let Up"

Definition: The phrase "let up" is a verb that means to reduce pressure or intensity. It can refer to something becoming less strong or intense, such as rain, pain, or stress.

Usage Instructions:

• "Let up" is typically used in informal and conversational English.
• It often describes a situation where something that was strong or overwhelming becomes weaker or more bearable.

Examples:

1. Weather Context:
   • "The rain finally let up after three hours, and we could go outside."
2. Pressure Context:
   • "I was feeling very stressed about my exams, but my teacher let up on the homework for a week."

Advanced Usage:

• You can use "let up" in more complex sentences by adding context or conditions. For example:
  • "Even though the workload was heavy at first, the manager decided to let up on the deadlines as the project progressed."

Word Variants:

• "Letting up" (present participle)
• "Let up" can also be used as a noun in some contexts, like "There was a let-up in the storm."

Different Meanings:

• "Let up" can also imply a decrease in severity or harshness in other contexts, such as a strict rule or a difficult situation. For example:
  • "The teacher let up on the strict grading policy after realizing the students were struggling."

Synonyms:

• Ease off
• Abate
• Diminish
• Slacken
• Decrease

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Ease off: Similar to "let up," it means to reduce intensity or pressure.

  • Example: "You should ease off the caffeine; it’s making you jittery."

• Let go: While not exactly the same, it can mean to release something or stop holding on to it.

  • Example: "You need to let go of the past and move forward."

Summary:

"Let up" is a useful phrase in English that helps describe a situation where something becomes less intense or overwhelming. You can use it in various contexts, such as weather, stress, or rules.

Academic

Verb

1. reduce pressure or intensity
   • he eased off the gas pedal and the car slowed down
2. become less in amount or intensity
   • The storm abated
   • The rain let up after a few hours

Synonyms

• ease up
• ease off
• abate
• slack off
• slack
• die away