straight-laced

Synonyms for straight-laced

adj unoriginal

noun. somebody smug and well-behaved

1540s, of stays or bodices; figurative sense of "over-precise, prudish" is from 1550s; see strait (n.) + lace (v.).

In fact, he was so merry that, by the straight-laced Puritans, he was thought ungodly.

Goodness, you can't afford to be as straight-laced as all that, in this town.

But Christopher Wellwyn's heart is too full of humanity to admit of such a straight-laced attitude.

One that has been discovered very recently is that the straight-faced are the straight-laced.

The North American, beneath his cold and straight-laced appearance, conceals a warm and enthusiastic heart.

Now I dare say there are straight-laced people who will be shocked at the idea of a woman playing ten-pins.

I suppose French morality is not of that straight-laced description which is shocked at trifles.

Straight-laced, hopelessly blind to every standard but her own—what right did Ann have to pass judgment on Niaga?

The new generation looks upon the stern morality and industry and self-control of its ancestors as straight-laced and narrow.

They all laughed heartily at the joke, and went on for some time bantering Wildgoose upon his being so straight-laced.