Cool MateFail vs I let you all down
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fail
Top 2,000 (common)A2verb
I let you all down
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Fail
| Fail | I let you all down | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/feɪl/","/feɪlz/","/feɪld/","/ˈfeɪlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/feɪl/","/feɪlz/","/feɪld/","/ˈfeɪlɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //aɪ lɛt juː ɔːl daʊn//🇺🇸 //aɪ lɛt juː ɔl daʊn// |
| Meaning | To not succeed in doing something. | I disappointed everyone. |
| Example | I didn't study enough, so I knew I would fail the exam. | After I missed the important meeting, I let you all down. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | dismally, miserably, spectacularly, cannot, can hardly, be bound to, in, try and fail, completely, totally | let down expectations, let down a team, let down friends, let down deeply, let down completely |
| Antonyms | succeed, prevail, triumph | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'fail' and 'fail at' - remember 'fail' can stand alone., 'Failed' used incorrectly in progressive tenses - it’s typically past tense., Overusing 'fail' in positive contexts where a softer word like 'struggle' might be better. | Saying 'let down' instead of 'let you all down' when referring to a group., Using 'let' in a positive context instead of acknowledging disappointment., Confusing 'let down' with other phrases like 'let go' or 'let in'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fail' in neutral contexts such as reports or everyday conversations. Avoid using it in overly formal situations. For failure in a job or exam, it's often directed towards the action not the person. | Use this phrase when expressing regret for not meeting expectations. It's suitable in both personal and professional contexts but avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fail vs I let you all down
What's the difference between Fail and I let you all down?
Fail: To not succeed in doing something. I let you all down: I disappointed everyone.
Which is more common: Fail and I let you all down?
Fail is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Fail: I didn't study enough, so I knew I would fail the exam. I let you all down: After I missed the important meeting, I let you all down.
Can I use Fail and I let you all down interchangeably?
Not always. Fail and I let you all 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.