stood on ceremony
Maintained rigid protocol
Stood on ceremony means insisted on formal behavior or etiquette, often when it wasn't necessary.
The expression usually appears in the negative: Don't stand on ceremony—help yourself to whatever's in the fridge.
Someone who stands on ceremony prioritizes protocol over ease or warmth.
- ritualismEmphasis on ceremonial practice
- rigidityState of being unbending
- ceremonialismEmphasis on formal rites
- inflexibilityQuality of being unbending
- punctiliousnessStrict attention to detail
protocol · by the book · proper form · decorum · politesse · strictness · meticulousness · propriety · solemnity · observances · deference · tradition · old fashioned · manners · mind your manners · distance · reserve · stiffness
stood on ceremonylet one's hair down
Abandon formal reserve
relaxed · went with the flow · loosened up · chilled out · kicked back
stood, standing, ceremony, ceremonies, ceremonial, ceremonially, ceremonious, ceremoniously, ceremoniousness