Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
let on

let on

Date: Oct 26 2006

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

“But at the same time, realizing I was in a room filled with killers, how much do you let on that you’re petrified?”

Leonardo DiCaprio talking about working on his latest movie, The Departed.

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

reveal; show; express

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

Leonardo DiCaprio is wondering how much he should reveal about his true feelings. Should he let on that he’s scared? Should he “show” that he is scared?

If you like a girl, you might not want to let on that you like her. You might not want to show her your feelings.

Say you tell a guy that you don’t want to date him. He says it’s no big deal. You could tell your friends, “I told Jerry I just wanted to be friends. If was upset, he didn’t let on.” Meaning, Jerry didn’t reveal whether he was upset.

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

“I felt like crying when Ian broke up with me, but I didn’t let on. I pretended like I was fine.”

“If you see a bear in the woods, don’t let on that you’re scared. They can smell fear!”

“If I let on that I’m in love with him, it will scare him off. I have to be cool.”

Winners

1. Winners - See who guessed the slang definition correctly.

shasha4132 to show,let others know
by shasha4132
show
by rivergili
to reveal the secrets to someone
by gugigugi
It means you didn't keep the secret
by rehab_gad2000
wayne226 It means you show up your feelingS or facial expressionS because you have already known something.
by wayne226
aris35 my guess is that it means confess
by aris35
let on means realize and feel
by thuhuong
hyizhi83 tell the others the truth
by hyizhi83
danhp1 let on means to tell a secret. eg. She let on that she was leaving.
by danhp1
hossein99 to reveal one's true feelings:
by hossein99
reaveal a secret;make facts known
by susanchou0729
reveal
by fawnping
"let on" means to admit something
by ugly_duckling1501

Want to guess next week's slang?

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Likes (15):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast