don'ts
Things to avoid
Things you shouldn't do—the opposite of dos.
The word appears almost exclusively in the phrase dos and don'ts, meaning rules or guidelines for proper behavior: Here are the dos and don'ts of job interviews.
Rarely seen alone, but occasionally: There are more don'ts than dos on this list.
Advance notices of danger
- cautionsWarns of risk
- pitfallsHidden dangers or drawbacks
- mistakesUnintended wrong actions
- errorsUnintentional deviations from correctness
blunders · traps · missteps · red flags · dealbreakers · hazards · risks · gotchas
Social misstep or indiscretion
- improprietyUnsuitable or inappropriate behavior
- breachBreaking of agreement
- blunderFoolish, costly mistake
- gaffeClumsy social error
misstep · indiscretion · discourtesy · rudeness · tactlessness · bad form · poor taste · offense
Prohibited behavior or act
- forbiddenNot allowed
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- bannedOfficially disallowed
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
verboten · disallowed · prohibited · outlawed · barred · proscribed · interdicted · contraband
warnings
Advance notices of danger
errors · blunders · traps · missteps · red flags · dealbreakers · hazards · risks · gotchas · lessons learned
faux pas
Social misstep or indiscretion
- improprietyUnsuitable or inappropriate behavior
- breachBreaking of agreement
- blunderFoolish, costly mistake
gaffe · misstep · indiscretion · discourtesy · rudeness · tactlessness · bad form · poor taste · offense · slight
no-no
Prohibited behavior or act
- forbiddenNot allowed
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- bannedOfficially disallowed
taboo · verboten · disallowed · prohibited · outlawed · barred · proscribed · interdicted · contraband · illicit
unmentionables
Clothing considered improper to discuss
- sacrilegeViolation of the hallowed
- blasphemyIrreverence toward the sacred
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
stigma · shame · scandal · impropriety · indecency · profanity · obscenity · untouchable · anathema · pariah
don'tsdos
Hairdos, or Spanish number
do's · recommendations · best practices · guidelines · encouragements
don'tsmusts
Required things
requirements · obligations · imperatives · mandates · duties
- don't worryReassurance against anxiety
- don't moveCommand to remain stationary
- don't give upEncouragement to continue despite difficulty
- don't botherDismissal of unnecessary effort
- don't careLacking interest or preference
- don't touchProhibition against contact