stand on ceremony

stand on ceremony

To observe or adhere strictly or insistently to formalities or traditional protocol. We've all been acquainted already, so there's no need to stand on ceremony for this interview. Please, don't stand on ceremonies on my behalf—keep eating!

See also: ceremony, on, stand

stand on ceremony

to hold rigidly to protocol or formal manners. (Often in the negative.) Please help yourself to more. Don't stand on ceremony. We are very informal around here. Hardly anyone stands on ceremony.

See also: ceremony, on, stand

stand on ceremony

insist on the observance of formalities; behave formally.

See also: ceremony, on, stand

stand on ˈceremony

(British English) behave in a very formal way: Come on — don’t stand on ceremony! Start eating or the food will get cold!

See also: ceremony, on, stand