be not the done thing

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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!
See also: done, not, thing
References in periodicals archive ?
Originally, this wasn't the done thing - but more wriggle room is allowing the service to pick up these people.
'It's been a massive learning curve': Behind the scenes of an evening at an out-of-hours GP service; Struggle to get an appointment at your local surgery? You're not the only one
"When I was a young man it just wasn't the done thing to talk about it because people don't want to hear that sort of thing and I felt ashamed.
Social farm is a way to heal wounds of mental illness; Dad Robert helping others deal with depression
It wasn't the done thing. And usually wasn't allowed.
Rocking all over the Toon in 1979-1980; NOSTALGIA DAVE MORTON recalls the people and places of the North East EMAIL: david.morton.editorial@ncjmedia.co.uk TELEPHONE: 0191 2016437 WRITE TO: Dave Morton, Nostalgia Editor, ncjMedia, Eldon Court, Percy Street, Newcastle, NE1 7JB. @DaveSMorton Newcastle Chronicle - History Photosales - 0191 201 6000
She said: "It's a great message for everyone not just women, I'm sure there's cases where a man sings something that's inappropriate, but it just wasn't the done thing to say anything.
I'm too old for crop tops but I'd still do a puffball; Kylie on how turning 50 inspired new album Golden and her joy that the Time's Up movement is changing people's views about age. But she draws the line at recreating some of her fashion choices
It just wasn't the done thing. Now the younger royals, Princes William and Harry, you see them hugging...
Is Meghan Markle Following Princess Diana's Etiquette?
She had cultivated this wholesome image around her of a woman who could balance both films and family with a studied ease, and showing any sign of weakness wasn't the done thing. Someone this morning remarked that Bollywood is a hypocritical haven where everything happens, but nothing is out in the open.
Sridevi: The price of being a superstar
Back then, it definitely wasn't the done thing. And to be honest, it still isn't.
"I've always been quite demanding of myself"
"Vince wasn't allowed in the delivery room - it wasn't the done thing back then - but the first time he held Athol, he was in tears again.
I don't know what love is but I know I found it with Vince. I'm facing the end happy for the life we've had; SINGER VINCE HILL AND WIFE ON 60 YEARS TOGETHER; EXCLUSIVE
People like Sir Bradley Wiggins have made it cool, but when I used to go to school and say, 'I'm not playing out today because I'm going racing', or I wanted to go and ride my bike, that wasn't the done thing," Trott recalls.
Sport makes you feel like you can achieve anything; Laura Trott tells ABI JACKSON how a passion for cycling was the ideal antidote to schoolgirl woes, and why she hopes to inspire others to fall in love with sports
People like Sir Bradley Wiggins have made it cool, so a lot more people are getting into it now, but when I used to go to school and say, 'I'm not playing out today because I'm going racing', or I wanted to go and ride my bike, it was almost like they'd take the Mickey out of me because that wasn't the done thing.
Girls talk
It wasn't the done thing to tell anyone," Geraint recalls, speaking honestly and frankly about those difficult years in an attempt to raise awareness and understanding of the condition.
My mum's battle with the bottle; Son's poignant story of his mother's alcoholism
During the '60s it wasn't the done thing for a woman to drive around on her own so my father drove me everywhere!
HEATHER JONES; The singer-songwriter from Cardiff recalls her 1960s memories on music fashion and gender politics in a new BBC Wales programme
"He suggested it wasn't the done thing to outdo the boss.
Kick -starting another mod revival; Remembered fondly for their massive hit Poison Ivy, mod legends The Lambrettas are back in Cardiff for their first show for more than 30 years. Frontman Doug Sanders reminisces with Dave Owens
He married a divorcee which wasn't the done thing and I don't think people have the same respect for him.
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN; The North East has long been accustomed to celebrating the various milestones of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. As we enter her Diamond Jubilee year, we look back at how the region has staged former street parties in her honour. MIKE KELLY reports
"Ridley & Hall has never been a 'stuffy' firm, but trousers for women wasn't the done thing. I don't think they knew what to do with me!" Sarah began working in general litigation, but was soon specialising in personal injury cases alongside colleague Nigel Priestley.
Swap was a good deal!
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