ceremony
not stand on ceremony
To not observe or hold strictly to protocol or formalities. Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Time is of the essence, so let's get started right away and not stand on ceremony. Please, don't stand on ceremony on my behalf—keep eating!
See also: ceremony, not, on, stand
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
without ceremony
Without the niceties or etiquette normally demanded by the social situation; roughly, informally, or uncouthly. Without ceremony, the new police chief barged into the room and began barking orders at the officers. It was a little disenchanting when he just signed my copy of his book without ceremony and sent me on my way. He didn't even look up from the table!
See also: ceremony, without
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
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
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
not stand on ceremony
If you do not stand on ceremony, you act in a relaxed and informal way with someone. Do call me Amelia, dear. We don't stand on ceremony in this family.
See also: ceremony, not, on, stand
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
stand on ceremony
insist on the observance of formalities; behave formally.See also: ceremony, on, stand
without ceremony
without preamble or politeness.See also: ceremony, without
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
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
without ˈceremony
in a very rough or informal way: He found himself pushed without ceremony out of the house and into the street.See also: ceremony, without
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
stand on ceremony, to
To behave very formally. This term, in which stand on has nothing to do with rising to one’s feet but rather means “to insist on,” dates from the nineteenth century. It appeared in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey (1798): “I never stand upon ceremony.”
See also: on, stand
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- not for a second
- not for a minute
- not for a moment
- not for a/one minute/moment/second/instant
- not for a instant
- aint
- ain't
- be like ships in the night
- by no means
- not by any means