letup
C1Informal, found in written and spoken reports, journalism, and everyday speech. Not typically used in highly formal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A reduction in intensity, strength, or activity; a pause or slackening.
A period of relaxation or relief from sustained effort, pressure, or intensity. Can refer to abstract concepts like workload, weather, or conflict.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. Often implies a welcome or needed pause in something demanding or unpleasant. The concept is often linked to relief.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use 'letup' and its alternative spelling 'let-up' with a hyphen. The hyphenated form is more common in British English, while the single word is standard in American English.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. Implies an easing or respite.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in journalistic contexts (e.g., sports, weather, business).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[There is/was] no letup in [something]We need/see/hope for a letupThe [something] continued without letupVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “without letup”
- “no letup in sight”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"Investors are hoping for a letup in inflationary pressures this quarter."
Academic
Rare. Might appear in historical texts: "The war continued for years with no significant letup."
Everyday
"The rain continued all day with no letup."
Technical
Possible in meteorology (weather letup) or sports reporting (defensive pressure).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The rain should let up by tonight.
- They refused to let up in their criticism.
American English
- The pressure isn't going to let up anytime soon.
- He never lets up when he's working on a project.
adjective
British English
- This job is non-stop, with let-up time being rare.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We played all day without a letup.
- After three hours of heavy rain, there was finally a letup.
- The teacher worked without letup to finish the reports.
- The company faced constant pressure from competitors with no sign of a letup.
- A brief letup in the wind allowed them to continue their journey.
- Despite diplomatic efforts, analysts predict no immediate letup in the hostilities.
- The relentless pace of innovation in the tech sector shows no letup.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a runner who has been sprinting and finally LETS UP on their speed. The 'letup' is that moment they slow down.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRESSURE/INTENSITY IS A FORCE APPLIED. A LETUP IS A RELEASE OF THAT FORCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'отпустить' (to let go). It's a noun, not a verb. Avoid direct calque 'позволять вверх'. Think of 'передышка', 'ослабление', 'затишье'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I letup the work'). 'Let up' is the phrasal verb form. Confusing spelling: 'lettup' is incorrect.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'letup' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standard as one word, especially in American English. The hyphenated form 'let-up' is also accepted, particularly in British English.
'Letup' specifically implies a reduction in intensity or pressure of an ongoing activity or condition. A 'break' is a more general pause, which can be planned or unrelated to intensity.
No. 'Letup' is only a noun. The equivalent verb is the phrasal verb 'to let up' (e.g., 'The storm finally let up').
No, it is informal to neutral. In very formal writing, alternatives like 'respite', 'abatement', or 'cessation' might be preferred.