be not the done thing

be not the done thing

Of a given behavior, to be unacceptable, inappropriate, or incorrect in a particular social situation. Primarily heard in UK. You should know better than to wear a skirt like that to a formal dinner; it is simply not the done thing! I'm so glad smoking indoors is not the done thing anymore! Would you stop cursing? Saying stuff like that in front of all these little kids is not the done thing!

See also: done, not, thing

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