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let alone

 - 4 dictionary results

a⋅lone

  [uh-lohn]
Use let alone in a Sentence
–adjective (used predicatively)
1. separate, apart, or isolated from others: I want to be alone.
2. to the exclusion of all others or all else: One cannot live by bread alone.
3. unique; unequaled; unexcelled: He is alone among his peers in devotion to duty.
–adverb
4. solitarily; solely: She prefers to live alone.
5. only; exclusively.
6. without aid or help: The baby let go of the side of the crib and stood alone.
—Idioms
7. leave alone,
a. to allow (someone) to be by himself or herself: Leave him alone—he wants to rest.
b. to refrain from annoying or interfering with: The youngsters wouldn't leave the dog alone, and he finally turned on them.
8. let alone,
a. to refrain from annoying or interfering with.
b. not to mention: He was too tired to walk, let alone run.
9. let well enough alone, to be satisfied with the existing situation; refrain from attempting to change conditions: Marriages are often destroyed by relatives who will not let well enough alone.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME al one all (wholly) one

Related forms:
a⋅lone⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. single, solitary; unaccompanied, unattended. Alone, lone, lonely, lonesome all imply being without companionship or association. Alone is colorless unless reinforced by all; it then suggests solitariness or desolation: alone in the house; all alone on an island. Lone is somewhat poetic or is intended humorously: a lone sentinel. Lonely implies a sad or disquieting feeling of isolation. Lonesome connotes emotion, a longing for companionship.

Antonyms:
1. accompanied.

Usage note:
7, 8. See leave 1 .
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To let alone
let 1   (lět)   
v.   let, let·ting, lets

v.   tr.

  1. To give permission or opportunity to; allow: I let them borrow the car. The inheritance let us finally buy a house. See Usage Note at leave1.

  2. To cause to; make: Let the news be known.

    1. Used as an auxiliary in the imperative to express a command, request, or proposal: Let's finish the job! Let x equal y.

    2. Used as an auxiliary in the imperative to express a warning or threat: Just let her try!

  4. To permit to enter, proceed, or depart: let the dog in.

  5. To release from or as if from confinement: let the air out of the balloon; let out a yelp.

  6. To rent or lease: let rooms.

  7. To award, especially after bids have been submitted: let the construction job to a new firm.

v.   intr.

  1. To become rented or leased.

  2. To be or become assigned, as to a contractor.

  3. To cause to come down gradually; lower: let down the sails.

    1. To withdraw support from; forsake.

    2. To fail to meet the expectations of; disappoint.

  5. To allow to be known; admit: Don't let on that you know me.

  6. To pretend.

  7. To come to a close; end: School let out early. The play let out at 11 P.M.

  8. To make known; reveal: Who let that story out?

  9. To increase the size of (a garment, for example): let out a coat.

  10. To slow down; diminish: didn't let up in their efforts.

  11. To come to a stop; cease: The rain let up.

Phrasal Verb(s):
let down

  1. To cause to come down gradually; lower: let down the sails.

    1. To withdraw support from; forsake.

    2. To fail to meet the expectations of; disappoint.

let on

  1. To allow to be known; admit: Don't let on that you know me.

  2. To pretend.

let out

  1. To come to a close; end: School let out early. The play let out at 11 P.M.

  2. To make known; reveal: Who let that story out?

  3. To increase the size of (a garment, for example): let out a coat.

let up

  1. To slow down; diminish: didn't let up in their efforts.

  2. To come to a stop; cease: The rain let up.


Idiom(s):
let aloneNot to mention; much less: "Their ancestors had been dirt poor and never saw royalty, let alone hung around with them" (Garrison Keillor).

Idiom(s):
let goTo cease to employ; dismiss: had to let 20 workers go.

Idiom(s):
let off on Informal To cause to diminish, as in pressure; ease up on: Let off on the gas so that we do not exceed the speed limit.

Idiom(s):
let (one's) hair downTo drop one's reserve or inhibitions.

Idiom(s):
let (someone) have it Informal

  1. To beat, strike, or shoot at someone.

  2. To scold or punish.


Idiom(s):
let (someone) in on

  1. To reveal (a secret) to someone: They finally let me in on their plans.

  2. To allow someone to participate in (something).


Idiom(s):
let up onTo be or become more lenient with: Why don't you let up on the poor child?

[Middle English leten, from Old English lǣtan; see lē- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

alone 
c.1300 contraction of O.E. all ana "all by oneself," from all "all, wholly" + an "one." Similar compounds found in Ger. (allein) and Du. (alleen).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Idioms & Phrases

let alone

  1. See leave someone alone.

  2. Not to mention, as in We have no room for another house guest, let alone an entire family. [c. 1800]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
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