let someone down gently
To reject or refuse someone in a way that avoids causing hurt or disappointment.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I do not like him, but I want to let him down gently.”
“She did not want to go on a second date, so she tried to let him down gently.”
“Although the candidate was clearly unqualified for the position, the manager chose to let him down gently by praising his enthusiasm while explaining why they had selected someone else.”
- 01
as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
- 02
beat someone round the ears
To beat (a person) with blows about the head.
- 03
bless someone with
To give or bestow, as a gift from God.
- 04
bring someone to their knees
To defeat and make submit to orders.
- 05
buy to let
To purchase a property as in investment, and to let it out for rental instead of living in it
- 06
call someone every name in the book
To call someone many abusive names.
- 07
call someone everything but a child of God
To call someone many abusive names.
- 08
catch someone napping
To take advantage of someone's inattention.
Last updated August 10, 2026