DictionaryAI

let alone

idiom · idiom

Formslets alone, letting alone, let alone

4 meanings of let alone

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  1. 1
    much less (negative)idiom
    Used after saying that something is not true or possible, to add something even less likely.

    The baby can't even sit up yet, let alone walk.

    I have never been to Canada, let alone lived there.

    Note
  2. 2
    stop botheringidiomtransitive
    To stop bothering someone and leave them in peace.

    Please let me alone, I'm trying to read.

    The other kids finally let him alone after the teacher spoke to them.

    Oppositebother, disturb, pester

    Note
  3. 3
    all the more (positive)idiomrare
    Used to add a second thing that must also be true if the first thing is true.

    After one day, let alone a week, the milk will be bad.

    At the end of another ten years, let alone sixty, we are likely to see a very different pattern in the realm of British passenger locomotive power.
    1957, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Performance and Performance during Sixty Years”Here, let alone means not to mention, adding something even bigger.
    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    rely onidiomdatedtransitive
    To trust someone to take care of something.
    Oh! let him alone for that. He's the boy that can get out of a scrape.
    1838, Marguerite Countess of Blessington, The Works of Lady Blessington (page 223)Here, let him alone means you can count on him to do it.
    "It's not easy gettin' as good," rejoined the old woman, "an' you ought to be very glad to win him, if you can." "Let me alone for that," said Sally.
    1849, William Carleton, Tales and SketchesHere, let me alone means you can count on me to manage it.
    Note

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