paint the town red

Register · Informal Informal — used in casual, everyday conversation among friends and family. Avoid in formal writing or professional settings. CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to go out and celebrate noisily

Why this phrase?

The phrase may evoke rowdy celebrants leaving red lights or paint across the town; today it simply means a wild night out.

Example

“They got their results and went out to paint the town red.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

let your hair down Informal · CEFR B2

To relax completely and enjoy yourself without worrying about behaving formally.

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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