done thing
Accepted standard behavior
The done thing is what's socially expected or acceptable in a particular context—proper behavior according to prevailing custom.
Usually appears with a negative: Talking politics at dinner isn't the done thing.
The phrase is more common in British than American English and carries a slightly old-fashioned, class-conscious tone.
- acceptableMeeting minimum standards
- appropriateSuited to circumstance
- fashionableCurrently in style
- establishedFormally set up
- fait accompliIrreversible completed action
etiquette · proper etiquette · common courtesy · protocol · norm · tradition · decorum · custom · polite society · convention · social convention · rule · reality · certainty · fact of life · habit · guideline · standard
done thingunconventional
Departing from standard practice
unorthodox · nonconformity · taboo · breaking with tradition · eccentricity
done, thing, does, doing, doer, doers, undone, undoing, redone