to let one (friend) down/ to leave somebody in the lurch

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to give me your considered opinion concerning the interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

She let me down.

“I was almost afraid…”she broke off, but I finished the sentence for her: “That I would let you down.”

You obviously can’t let that poor girl down, so I’ll have to run you up in the car. We probably won’t be able to beat the train, but we’ll do our best. (D. Cusack)

“He wanted to do an experiment on scattering, and I – I let him down halfway through. I got mixed up with something else outside,” he explained vaguely. (M. Wilson)

Be a pal. Come on now; don’t leave me in the lurch. All I want is a little help now and again. (J. Wain)

to let one (friend) down = to fail a person in time of need

to leave somebody in the lurch = to leave a person in difficulties, in a helpless, embarrassing, difficult situation

V.

[Rover_KE]

You are correct.