poor form
Breach of etiquette
Poor form is behavior that violates social expectations or standards of conduct, especially in contexts where etiquette matters: Showing up empty-handed to a dinner party is poor form.
The phrase borrows from sports, where form means proper technique.
Poor form suggests a lapse in manners or judgment rather than serious wrongdoing—disappointing rather than outrageous.
- bad mannersSocially unacceptable behavior
- not cricketContrary to fair play
- indecentOffensive to accepted standards
- badOf inferior quality
- impoliteLacking good manners
amateurishness · faux pas · social faux pas · rudeness · impropriety · in bad taste · inelegance · unsportsmanlike · below the belt · cheap shot · sloppiness · misstep · out of line · disrespect · discourtesy · tactlessness · inefficiency · roughness
- Performance Problemsslump, plateau, burnout, fatigue, choking
- body painache, aches, pain, pang, throb
- exercise injuriesmuscle strain, pulled muscle, sprain, sprains, muscle tear
- learning strugglesconfusion, frustration, mistakes, overwhelm, self-doubt
poor formgood form
Correct social behavior
good manners · propriety · decorum · proper etiquette · proper form
poor formgood form
Correct social behavior
perfect form · flawless execution · polish · finesse · mastery
poor, form, poorly, poorer, poorest, poorness, forms, formed, forming