# prim and proper

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/prim-and-proper
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

prudish, straight-laced

## Examples

- She always acts so prim and proper at dinner.
- He wore a stiff suit and acted prim and proper to impress his new boss.
- Despite the wild atmosphere of the party, she remained prim and proper, refusing to loosen her collar or join the dancing.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.