Idioms

proper

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go through (the proper) channels

To take the correct or accepted steps toward achieving some goal or outcome. I'm sorry, but we can't approve of this request because you didn't go through the proper channels. If you went through channels, then they have no reason to turn you away. A: "Why hasn't my interlibrary loan request been fulfilled?" B: "Did you go through the proper channels—in this case, the reference desk?"
See also: channel, go, through

good and proper

1. Appropriate and acceptable, often socially. Don't cancel your meeting with him at the last minute—that's not good and proper behavior. Please don't go asking him for money at the party. That is just not good and proper. I know it's not good and proper to be late for a job interview, I just got stuck in traffic for over an hour!
2. With intensity. Mom scolded me good and proper after I ignored my chores yet again. If you don't train good and proper in the offseason, you'll never be in top shape when the season starts. It wasn't until after the funeral that I cried good and proper—Maria's death just didn't feel real until then.
See also: and, good, proper

prim and proper

Having very traditional, morally conservative beliefs and behavior. I've never dated someone who is so prim and proper before. I'm not sure how he's going react when he meets my family! She's so prim and proper that I bet she's never even jaywalked before.
See also: and, proper
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

prim and ˈproper

(of a person) very correctly behaved and easily shocked by anything that is rude: Don’t invite her to the party. She’s so prim and proper.
See also: and, proper

ˌgood and ˈproper

(British English, spoken) completely; thoroughly: That’s messed things up good and proper.
See also: and, good, proper
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive
That's the head for a language column by Paula Larocque in the Society of Professional Journalists' June-July Quill Magazine--a column that provides a nice overview of the proper and improper use of apostrophes.
In addition to implementing and posting a preventive maintenance checklist, clear directions for operating conditions should be posted, such as proper start-up and shutdown procedures.
In their haste to get there, they didn't take time to do a proper briefing before taking off, which would have included discussions of potential landing hazards and how they would deal with any emergency situations.
When the proper application of mechanical forces is disrupted, performance will be less than optimal.
When CPAs make decisions regarding a matter of materiality or proper disclosure in financial statements, they are making a determination of whether or not the item in question falls above or below a line drawn in the sand.
While present in early eucharistic orders, complete Psalms were gradually reduced in length to the text snippets found in the proper Introit, Gradual, or Offertory of the Mass.
Civic virtues integrate such knowledge and skill with proper civic motivations or attitudes, such as respect for the democratic process, love for the nation, and concern for the common good.
The movies pointed the way (a new way), beyond the way beyond of the Conceptualists and back through the masters of the documentary tradition to painting (American style, in particular) and, further, to the Old Masters proper.
To make the most of the shutdown's limited duration, mill personnel should be sure to have the proper inspection tools ready, and know how to use them.
Proper insurance to value has an obvious impact on the bottom line of an insurer when it's recognized that property rates are promulgated based on the full value of the property.
The success of an individual's ability to classify data in this way, however, depends upon the proper and successful completion of the taxonomy design and content indexing phase.
A committee has been set up in Chitral for proper look after of chalgoza (pine nut) trees and pluck pine nuts from the tree at right time when it ripe.
KUWAIT, Aug 2 (KUNA) -- Many passengers using buses to commute in the country suffer from a number of bus stops that lack proper seating, adequate shades and other basic elements.
Palatine-based Proper Title LLC announced it has promoted Dawn Wheatland to account executive and hired Stacey Gore as an account executive.
Ogunjobi said that using water alone is not a proper hand washing technique as it could not totally clean the hand.
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