let yourself go

let (oneself) go

1. To behave in a wild or uninhibited manner. I was surprised that she let herself go at the party—she's usually so shy and reserved.
2. To fail to maintain an attractive physical appearance. A: "I was surprised to see that he had gained so much weight." B: "I know, he really let himself go after college."
See also: go, let

let go

1. To stop physically holding on to someone or something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "let" and "go." If you let go of the ledge, you'll fall! The baby refused to let go of the rattle. He let the rock go, and it was a long time before we heard it hit the bottom.
2. To fire or dismiss an employee. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "let" and "go." I'm worried that they'll let me go once this special project is over. I heard they're going to let go a lot of employees involved in the scandal.
3. To release someone or something from custody. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "let" and "go." We did bring him in for questioning, but we had nothing to charge him with, so we had to let him go. What time did you let go the prisoner?
4. To stop pursuing a particular desire or attempting to maintain a particular situation and accept things as they are. In this usage, the phrase is often "let it go." He's never going to clean the kitchen as diligently as you would—just let it go. It's been 10 years, Ken. I think it's time for you to let go and move on.
5. To relax and not focus on one's responsibilities or stresses. I think I just need a weekend where I can let go for a while and not worry about what's going on at work.
6. To utter some sudden, fierce, or uncontrolled noise. Often followed by "with something." The trapped wolf let go with a bone-chilling howl. I don't know what made him so angry, but he suddenly let go a string of expletives.
See also: go, let
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

let yourself go

1 act in an unrestrained or uninhibited way. 2 neglect yourself or your appearance; become careless or untidy in your habits.
See also: go, let
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌlet yourself ˈgo


1 behave in a relaxed way without worrying about what people think of your behaviour: Come on, enjoy yourself, let yourself go!
2 stop being careful about how you look and dress, etc: He has let himself go since he lost his job.
See also: go, let
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • let (oneself) go
  • let go
  • Let it go
  • let oneself go
  • let somebody go
  • let it all hang out
  • fly (one's) freak flag
  • amok
  • amuck
  • amuk
References in classic literature
You are nearer his age, and if you let yourself go I am sure you are sensible.
A Room With A View
"People don't respect you if you let yourself go too cheap."
Of Human Bondage
The campaign is being led by Paul Dermody, HRI commercial and marketing director, who believes the project has a hard act to follow after the Let Yourself Go advert, which featured TV celebrity Hector O hEochagain, from seven years ago.
HRI launches new television and marketing campaign
So instead of saying, "You've let yourself go, love", why don't you organise a babysitter and take her to a spa?
Wife has let herself go and makes no effort now
AS you look back on your life, there will be times when you wish you had made better decisions, Maybe wish you could have gone out of your way to help people more without conditions, There will be good times to think back on, but also times you know you could have done better, Maybe you could have let yourself go a bit more, instead of always doing things to the letter?
YOUR POEM True Happiness
If you let yourself go too high you hit the ground pretty hard when that bump comes.
Our fuel for the fight
But, if you do not get it, you cannot just let yourself go out with a whimper.
Boss Montanier hurt by 'timid' Forest surrender; NOTT'M FOREST 1 NORWICH CITY 2
is an loss Their best known songs include I Like It, I Got To Sing, Get Up and Let Yourself Go.
TRIBUTES TO WOLFMAN; LEGENDARY BRUMMIE MUSIC STAR DIES, AGED 71
You can't afford to just let yourself go for five or six weeks.
Still all to play for at 37
Center for Spiritual Living - A "Pacific Northwest New Thought Rally - "Let Yourself Go!" with multiple musicians and speakers will begin at 10 a.m.
THE BULLETIN
"I always look after myself in the summer which is the time when you can let yourself go a little bit.
Beer we go! BAKER GIVES UP BOOZE AS HE GOES ALL OUT FOR PROMOTION
You need to be on your toes, enjoy the atmosphere but be careful not to let yourself go," he laughs saying one young girl had to be stopped from getting on stage last week.
Do the time warp again; Sam's up for Rocky Horror's 40th birthday
'She was like, "Now, love, don't let yourself go." Men are very visual and I think it's important that you wake up in the morning and get yourself together.
KERR & MAKE-UP
"She was like 'Now love, don't let yourself go, men are very visual and I think it's important you wake up in the morning and get yourself together, don't slop around the house all day in your pajamas,'" Kerr remembered her grandmother telling her.
Victoria's Secret's Miranda Kerr Poses Provocatively for Vogue UK [SLIDESHOW]