let up1
informal
1(Of something undesirable) become less intense: the rain’s letting up—it’ll be clear soon...
- Instead of letting up, the snow squalls intensified.
- However, on December 27, the region was blanketed by an intense winter storm that showed no signs of letting up.
- The rain had let up a little bit.
Synonyms
abate, lessen, decrease, diminish, subside, moderate, decline, relent, slacken, die down/off, ease (off), tail off, taper off, drop off/away, peter out;
ebb, wane, dwindle, fade, quieten (down), calm (down), weaken;
stop, cease, finish, come to a stop, come to an end, terminate
1.1Relax one’s efforts: she was so far ahead she could afford to let up a bit...
- Our main priority is getting promoted and finishing the season on a high, but that doesn't mean we will be letting up one bit tomorrow.
- After yesterday's rest day a lot of riders were feeling good but there were times that some of us were wondering if people would ever let up, even a bit.
- You could see once he made the lead, he let up a little bit.
Synonyms
relax one's efforts, relax, ease up/off, do less, slow down;
pause, break (off), take a break, take a breath;
adjourn, desist, rest, hold back, stop
informal take a breather
1.2 (let up on) informal Treat in a more lenient manner: she didn’t let up on Cunningham...
- She lets up on Felicia but starts complaining about her year-old marriage, which is much harder than she thought it would be.
- We are not going to let up on the government until things are done.
- This is a constant problem and we will not let up on those who break the law.
Synonyms
treat less severely, be more lenient with, be kinder to
informal go easy on
See parent entry: let
let-up2
/ˈlɛtʌp
/noun [in singular] informal
A pause or reduction in the intensity of something dangerous, difficult, or tiring: there had been no let-up in the eruption...
- Media stocks were some of the heaviest fallers after publisher Pearson frayed nerves as it warned there was little sign of a let-up in the tough advertising conditions.
- Arctic temperatures saw the big chill remain in York and North Yorkshire again today - but forecasters have said a brief let-up to the cold snap is in sight.
- The weather is finally set to clear after more than a week of torrential rain signalling a let-up for those who have been suffering from flooding.
Synonyms
abatement, lessening, decrease, diminishing, diminution, subsidence, moderation, decline, relenting, remission, slackening, weakening, relaxation, dying down, easing off, tailing off, tapering off, dropping away/off, ebbing, waning, dwindling;
respite, break, interval, hiatus, suspension, cessation, stop, pause, breathing space, lull, interlude, intermission
