let on

verb

let on; letting on; lets on

intransitive verb

1

: to make acknowledgment : admit

knows more than he lets on

2

: to reveal a secret

nobody let on about the surprise party

3

: pretend

let on to being a stranger

Synonyms

• dissemble
• dissimulate
• make out
• pretend

Examples of let on in a Sentence

she's not half as innocent as she likes to let on

Recent Examples on the Web

And Jennifer Young Pierce, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of South Alabama, told The Hill that more women run the risk of developing cervical cancer than those numbers let on. —Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024

But with the reporting network realigned and any of its problems apparently behind it, Lululemon looks much better placed for a strong Christmas than its CEO is letting on. —Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

While the show was airing, tabloids reported that the relationship between Tyler, his children, and their mother was more involved than Tyler let on. —Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 31 Oct. 2024

Around Notre Dame, Leonard didn’t let on how hard the transition had been. —Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

let on

verb

1

: admit sense 1b, reveal

don't let on that I told you

2

: pretend entry 1 sense 2

he's not as happy as he lets on