PhrasesHub

let their hair down

    Definitions

      • relax and have fun
        Encourage someone to unwind and enjoy themselves, often after a period of hard work or stress

      • behave freely
        Describe someone's behavior as carefree and uninhibited, often in a social setting

    Examples of let their hair down

    • The couple let their hair down at the wedding reception, dancing and laughing the night away without a care in the world.

      This usage of "let their hair down" means that the couple relaxed and enjoyed themselves without any inhibitions or worries. The idiom originates from the past when people used to wear wigs, and taking off the wig was a sign of letting go of reserved behavior.

    • After a long work week, my friend let her hair down and treated herself to a movie and ice cream.

      In this example, "letting her hair down" refers to my friend relaxing and indulging herself in a leisurely activity after a busy work week. It suggests that she normally wouldn't take this type of time for herself, but chose to do so as a break from her usual routine.

    • The group of college friends let their hair down and hosted a wild party in their dorm room.

      This usage of "let their hair down" signifies that the college friends had a good time without adhering to strict rules or restrictions, most likely involving loud music, drinking, and dancing.

    • After a difficult breakup, the actor let his hair down and ended up unexpectedly dancing with a fan at a local club.

      This example uses the idiom in a different context - following a tough situation, the actor chose to "let his hair down" and have fun, which led to an unplanned social interaction with a fan at a club. The phrase emphasizes his decision to unwind and lessen the intensity of his emotions by doing something relaxing.

    • John is normally very reserved at parties, but tonight he really let his hair down and had the time of his life.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who usually acts very conservatively or formally, but decides to relax and have fun in social situations. In this example, John is typically shy and reserved at parties, but tonight he let go of his inhibitions and had a great time.

    • After a long week of work, Sarah and her friends decided to let their hair down and hit the town for some drinks and dancing.

      This idiom is often used in reference to socializing and partying, especially when one is looking to unwind after a stressful period. In this example, Sarah and her friends are letting loose by going out on the town after a tough work week.

    • The board of directors urged the CEO to let his hair down during company meetings to help create a more relaxed and collaborative workspace.

      This idiom can also be used in a professional setting to encourage individuals in positions of power to be more approachable and less formal. In this example, the board is suggesting that the CEO loosen up a bit during company meetings to foster a more productive and open work environment.

    • After the nail-biting soccer match, the team let their hair down and celebrated their hard-earned victory with a wild party.

      This idiom can also be used to describe celebratory behavior following a successful event or achievement. In this example, the soccer team lets loose and parties after a particularly intense and nerve-wracking match.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "let their hair down" can be used to suggest both relaxing and having fun, as well as behaving freely and uninhibitedly. It is often used to encourage people to unwind and enjoy themselves, particularly after a period of hard work or stress. It can also refer to someone's carefree and uninhibited behavior in a social setting.

    Origin of "let their hair down"

    The origin of the idiom "let their hair down" can be traced back to the 17th century, when women would typically wear their hair pinned up in elaborate styles. They would only let their hair down in private or for leisure activities. The act of letting one's hair down was associated with relaxation and freedom from societal expectations. Over time, the idiom evolved to symbolize letting go of inhibitions and enjoying oneself. Today, it is commonly used to encourage others to relax and have fun in a carefree manner. For example, "After a long week of exams, it's time to let your hair down and have some fun!"