Cool MateDisappoint vs I'm sorry to let you down
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Disappoint
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
I'm sorry to let you down
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Disappoint
| Disappoint | I'm sorry to let you down | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnt/","/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnts/","/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪd/","/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnt/","/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnts/","/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪd/","/ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //aɪm ˈsɒri tə lɛt jʊ daʊn//🇺🇸 //aɪm ˈsɔri tə lɛt jʊ daʊn// |
| Meaning | To make someone feel sad because something is not as good as expected. | I feel bad for not meeting your expectations. |
| Example | Her decision to cancel the concert is bound to disappoint her fans. | I’m sorry to let you down, but I can’t come to the meeting. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | disappoint someone, disappoint expectations, disappoint a friend, disappoint fans, disappoint in | let someone down, sorry to let you down, I don't want to let you down |
| Antonyms | please, satisfy, delight | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'disappointment' as a verb., Using 'disappoint' without an object, e.g., 'He disappointed' instead of 'He disappointed me.' | Confused with 'let down' as a noun instead of a verb phrase., Using it too frequently can make it lose impact. |
| Usage notes | Use 'disappoint' when expressing feelings of letdown. It's appropriate for both serious and casual situations but avoid using it in overly casual contexts like slang. | Use in personal or professional situations to express regret when disappointing someone. Avoid in very casual contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Disappoint vs I'm sorry to let you down
What's the difference between Disappoint and I'm sorry to let you down?
Disappoint: To make someone feel sad because something is not as good as expected. I'm sorry to let you down: I feel bad for not meeting your expectations.
Which is more common: Disappoint and I'm sorry to let you down?
Disappoint is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Disappoint: Her decision to cancel the concert is bound to disappoint her fans. I'm sorry to let you down: I’m sorry to let you down, but I can’t come to the meeting.
Can I use Disappoint and I'm sorry to let you down interchangeably?
Not always. Disappoint and I'm sorry to let you down are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.