let one's hair down

phrase

: to act without pretense or self-restraint

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of let one's hair down was in 1933

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Let one's hair down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/let%20one%27s%20hair%20down. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster