Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.

Let down

To fail

The most appropriate meaning of the given idiom "let down" is to fail.

The idiom is thought to have originated in the 16th century, and is thought to be based on the idea of letting someone down from a height. When someone is let down, it means that they have not been able to meet the expectations of others.

The idiom is now used more generally to describe any situation where someone fails to do something that they have promised or been expected to do.

The other options are not as appropriate meanings for the idiom "let down":

• To hire: This is not the meaning of the idiom. Hiring someone is the opposite of letting someone down.
• To care about: This is not the meaning of the idiom. Caring about someone is not the same as failing them.
• To nurse: This is not the meaning of the idiom. Nursing someone is about caring for them, not failing them.