Hi this is Tutor Nick P and this is Idioms 264. The idiom today is let one's hair down.
Okay. Let's take a look at the note here. If someone lets his or her hair down, he
or she lets himself or herself behave a lot more freely, especially
without worrying about what one thinks. So they could just be themselves. They could let
their hair down. They could relax. That's what we mean by to let one's hair down.
Okay. Let's continue. The origin of this idiom goes all the way back to the 17th
century. At this time, it was proper for women to wear their hair up in public
often pinned up in a bun. So it probably felt a little . It probably felt
constricted. It didn't really feel probably very natural, but that was the proper way.
So they were probably more stressed during the day. The only time it was
considered proper for a woman to let her hair down was when she was bathing
no washing or brushing her hair. When they were home alone. So that's the only
time they could let their hair down. That's the only time they could just be
themselves and not worry about somebody looking at them or saying something
about them or thinking something improper about them. Okay.
Thus this was the only time. They can relax and be more free. Okay. So that's
really where it comes from. That's why we tell people to let one's hair down. It goes
all the way to several centuries ago, especially in regard to women having to
wear it up to be proper. Okay. Anyway, let's look. We have three examples here.
The way we use it today. Example number one. You had a stressful week. You should
come with us to the disco tonight and let your hair down. Good or number two.
you have been working too hard recently. You should come over and let your hair
down tonight. We are having a get-together. Okay. It's another way. After
my finals are over meaning after they're
finished I'm going to let my hair down and go partying. You know, go have fun,
especially a lot of college students might say that. Maybe their finals were
over. They can act crazy. Go out with their friends. They're going to let their
hair down and you know just party. Get out their stress. Okay. Anyway, I hope you
got it. I hope it was clear. Thank you for your time.
Bye-bye.