[Lexicog] to let one's hair down

[Lesley Jezierny]

Interesting. 

As a native English speaker , BrE by birth, with 20+ years in the South-East USA,  I think of this as someone who is generally uptight who lets go of (typically female) her inhibitions, perhaps drinks a few drinks, dances with office colleagues -- and maybe regrets it the next day. For me, there's a definite perception of relaxing among people with whom one generally has a more formal relationship.

I would never ever think of this as meaning to speak from one's heart. 

Hope this helps
Lesley
 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Hayim Sheynin <hsheynin19444 at yahoo.com>
> There is also another meaning to this idiom, a figurative one, to say be frank, 
> to say what is on your mind, to speak from one's heart.
> 
> Hayim Y. Sheynin
> 
> dick_watson at sil.org wrote:                              
> From western US: relax and be yourself, casual, no airs or cover up. Literally, 
> I visualize a lady with fancy hairdo, letting it all out, au natural. 
> Dick 
>  
> "Fritz Goerling" <Fritz_Goerling at sil.org> 
> I am interested to learn how anglophones (from different parts of the world) use 
> the idiom “to let one’s hair down.”  
> Fritz Goerling 
>      
>                                        
> 
> 
> Dr. Hayim Y. Sheynin
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