IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined phrasal verb. Sentence: 'His friends let him down.'

Introduction / Context:
In interpersonal contexts, “to let someone down” means to disappoint them by failing to give promised support or help. The sentence portrays betrayal or non-support by friends at a crucial moment.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Subject: friends (expected to help).
• Verb phrase: let him down.
• Implication: failure to meet expectations.

Concept / Approach:
The best single-word gloss is “failed” (specifically, failed him). Options that indicate the opposite—success or support—clearly do not match the idiom. “Comforted” is a positive, supportive action, also contrary to the sense of disappointment.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Map phrasal verb to standard meaning: disappoint; fail to support.2) Choose “failed.”3) Discard antonyms (“stood by,” “succeeded”) and unrelated actions (“comforted”).4) Recast sentence: “His friends failed him.”

Verification / Alternative check:
Common collocations: “don’t let me down,” “I won’t let you down,” i.e., I won’t fail you—confirming the mapping.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
B) “comforted” — supportive, not disappointing.C) “succeeded” — unrelated; success does not capture betrayal.D) “stood by” — means supported; opposite of “let down.”

Common Pitfalls:
Ignoring the object “him,” which signals a failure toward a person, not a task outcome.

Final Answer:
failed