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3. letdown

letdown

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set (oneself) up for a letdown

To set one's expectations so high that one will inevitably be disappointed by the outcome. (Sometimes hyphenated as "let-down.") I know you're really excited for this movie to come out, but I think you're setting yourself up for a letdown. John was so convinced that his relationship with Mary was perfect that he set himself up for a let-down in the long run.

See also: letdown, set, up

letdown

Something that is disappointing, usually because it did not meet one's high expectations about it. Not getting tickets to the game after my aunt promised them to us is a real letdown. Sue was really excited about her new position, but now that's she's in it, it seems to be a letdown.