let it all hang out

Verb

let it all hang out (third-person singular simple present lets it all hang out, present participle letting it all hang out, simple past and past participle let it all hang out)

1. (idiomatic) Behave without shyness, timidity, or worry about the reactions of other people; being perfectly candid and without concealment of one's feelings or intentions in expressing oneself or revealing one's emotions.
   • Or more specifically, to bleep only part of a potentially offensive word in a broadcast-news story or to let it all hang out?July 29, 2015, Paul Farhi, Article: Wait wait - can you say that on air? There's a debate on cursing at NPR. Washington Post
   • For years now, Mad Men has tracked a tamped-down, repressed ’50s America becoming one where people let it all hang out.April 21, 2014, Julia Turner, Article: Mad Men Episode 2 review: Don and Sally's talk at the diner. Slate

   Synonyms:

   let one's hair down

2. (idiomatic) Make the utmost effort at some endeavor, utilizing all of one's ability and resources, keeping nothing in reserve.
   • Near-synonyms: go the extra mile, give 110%
   • "Hope he has a couple of easy innings," said Turner. "Sit down and cool off, young man." "Let it all hang out now, Tits," said Whisenant "don't hold back out there."1962, Jim Brosnan, Pennant Race chapter 2.page 88

   Synonyms:

   give one's all, go all out, go big or go home, pull out all the stops, put one's heart and soul into it