Laisse tomber cette idée, elle coûtera beaucoup trop cher.
Drop that idea, it will cost far too much.
Tu me dois encore dix euros, mais laisse tomber, ce n'est pas grave.
You still owe me ten euros, but forget it, it is no big deal.
J'ai déjà appelé le service client, alors laisse tomber, je m'en occupe.
I have already called customer service, so leave it, I will handle it.
Si la discussion devient agressive, laisse tomber et passe à autre chose.
If the discussion becomes aggressive, drop it and move on.
Similar words
n'insiste pas
oublie
passe à autre chose
abandonne
laisse faire
Meanings
Stop pursuing or discussing it
conversation
informal
An informal instruction to abandon an attempt, drop a subject, or stop worrying about a matter, ranging from reassuring “don't worry about it” to dismissive “forget it”.
Examples
Tu me dois encore dix euros, mais laisse tomber, ce n'est pas grave.
You still owe me ten euros, but forget it, it is no big deal.
Laisse tomber cette idée, elle coûtera beaucoup trop cher.
Drop that idea, it will cost far too much.
J'ai déjà appelé le service client, alors laisse tomber, je m'en occupe.
I have already called customer service, so leave it, I will handle it.
Non, laisse tomber, tu ne comprendrais pas.
No, forget it, you would not understand.
Si la discussion devient agressive, laisse tomber et passe à autre chose.
If the discussion becomes aggressive, drop it and move on.
Similar words
oublie
n'insiste pas
abandonne
passe à autre chose
laisse faire
Etymology
The expression is the second-person singular imperative of laisser tomber, literally “to let fall”. Its figurative sense turns the image of releasing something into the idea of abandoning it or no longer giving it attention.
FAQ
What does laisse tomber mean?
Laisse tomber means “forget it”, “drop it”, “leave it”, or “never mind” when someone should stop pursuing or discussing something.
Is laisse tomber rude?
Not always. It can gently mean “don't worry about it”, but a sharp tone can make it sound dismissive or impatient.
Can laisse tomber take an object?
Yes. French can say laisse tomber cette idée, or use laisse tomber alone when the subject is already clear.
Is laisse tomber formal?
No. It is common informal speech. In a formal setting, n'insistez pas or abandonnons cette idée may fit better.
How do you pronounce laisse tomber?
Laisse tomber is pronounced /lɛs tɔ̃.be/, with the final s of laisse heard and a nasal vowel in tomber.
Does laisse tomber literally mean to drop something?
The words literally mean “let fall”, but this entry covers the idiomatic command to abandon a matter or stop paying attention to it.
Comments & contributions
Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.