prim and 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.

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
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • keep on the straight and narrow
  • keep to the straight and narrow
  • keep to, stay on, etc. the straight and narrow
  • be on the straight and narrow
  • stay on the straight and narrow
  • stay to the straight and narrow
  • on the straight and narrow
  • go to the stake
  • buttoned-up
  • seize
References in classic literature
Otherwise, I must expect the crushing criticism, "Well, I dare say it 's all very prim and proper, but it is n't a bit like us," and never hope to arrive at the distinction of finding the covers of "An Old-Fashioned Girl" the dirtiest in the library.
An Old Fashioned Girl
MARY Berry returned to BBC2 - not prim and proper in a country kitchen but clinging to a hot Italian man riding a Vespa through Rome.
BERRYSSIMO! MARY'S ITALIAN EPIC; STAR of the WEEK
And my niece-in-law is a very lovely girl, very polite, beautiful girl, and you would think she is very prim and proper, but is not actually.
RATE IT OR HATE IT? Halina Watts' Saturday down the showbiz rabbit hole; WATTS the GOSS
He said men were used to fights and women were more prim and proper, and could not handle the stress of threats and intimidation.
Some jobs too risky for women, says Duterte
Faring best is Julianne Moore as prim and proper antagonist Poppy while you'll never look at Elton John the same way again.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (15) ????? ....
UMA THURMAN poses for this year's prim and proper Pirelli calendar, wearing more clothes in one month than the models used to wear in the entire year.
TYRED OF TEASE; Pirelli calendar is more cover-up than pin-up these days
Flint was getting slightly fed up with Prim And Proper, who struck under Daniel Muscutt, now just two winners away from losing his claim.
Steward smiling despite enduring difficult year
Jessica, 32, who plays prim and proper Jenny Lee in the BBC1 show, was wearing her new engagement ring.
Mr Selfridge star in kiss the midwife
TRACY Flick is a smart, prim and proper student who is having an affair with a tutor at her school.
Election (Film4, 11.10pm)
Think seductive secretary meets prim and proper for a style that is best summed up by Christina Hendricks in Mad Men.
Forget the boyfriend to dress sexy; OnTrend
Unthinkably, Scott resists her flirtations and begins a tender romance with the school''s prim and proper teacher, Amy Squirrel (Lucy Punch).
ELIZABETH Halsey (Cameron Diaz[...]; Bad Teacher (15)
I notice you mentioned a company that specialises in high-end shower curtains a few weeks ago and while I'm after something of good quality, the designs were a bit too prim and proper for my liking.
NICOLA WILKES; A question of design www.walesathome.co.uk
PRIM and proper is how we like our blouses this season.
RETAIL THERAPY; Interview
My Little Miss Prim And Proper (News, 19.04.08) in the Evening Gazette.
It's tricky spotting illnesses