let it all hang out

let it all hang out

1. verb To behave in an unusually uninhibited or relaxed manner. I was surprised that she let it all hang out at the party—she's usually so shy and reserved.
2. verb To express one's emotions directly. I don't know them well enough to let it all hang out and tell them how I really feel.
3. adjective Uninhibited and relaxed. In this usage, the phrase is hyphenated. You can't wear shorts to that restaurant—it's not a let-it-all-hang-out kind of place.
4. adjective Emotionally open or direct. In this usage, the phrase is hyphenated. I'm not surprised she told you how she really feels about you—she's a let-it-all-hang-out kind of person.
See also: all, hang, let, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

let it all hang out

Inf. to be yourself, assuming that you generally are not; to become totally relaxed and unpretentious. Come on. Relax! Let it all hang out. I tried to let it all hang out, but I still felt out of place.
See also: all, hang, let, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

let it all hang out

Be totally candid in expressing feelings and opinions; hold nothing back. For example, The psychiatrist urged him not to spare any details, to let it all hang out. [Slang; late 1960s]
See also: all, hang, let, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

let it all hang out

INFORMAL
1. If you let it all hang out, you behave in a very informal and relaxed way, doing whatever you want to do. If you want a venue where you can let it all hang out, this is it. Note: You can use let-it-all-hang-out before a noun to describe a relaxed person or situation. It is the hotel's let-it-all-hang-out ethos that attracts Charlotte.
2. If you let it all hang out, you express your emotions openly. When you're angry, is it better to let it all hang out? Note: You can use let-it-all-hang-out before a noun to talk about expressing emotions openly. My parents were let-it-all-hang-out liberals so we discussed pretty much everything.
See also: all, hang, let, out
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

let it all hang out

be uninhibited or relaxed. informal
See also: all, hang, let, out
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

let it all hang ˈout

(informal) express your feelings freely: Sometimes you just have to let it all hang out and say what you really think.
See also: all, hang, let, out
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

let it all hang out

tv. to be yourself, assuming that you generally are not. (What is hanging out has never been clear, but something involving nudity has been suggested.) Come on. Relax! Let it all hang out.
See also: all, hang, let, out
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

let it all hang out

Be completely candid; conceal nothing. This American slang expression became both current and overused in the 1960s. One writer suggests it may originally have referred to the penis, but it quickly was transferred to the uninhibited expression of feelings, opinions, and ideas.
See also: all, hang, let, out
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • let (oneself) go
  • let go
  • Let it go
  • let oneself go
  • let somebody go
  • let yourself go
  • fly (one's) freak flag
  • be in
  • barf
  • barfola