tight-laced

8.1

Being very strict about how people behave and dress

adjective
/ˈtaɪtˌleɪst/

: estricto

The school had a tight-laced dress code that allowed no room for self-expression.

Examples

Her tight-laced upbringing made it hard for her to accept unconventional ideas.
Her tight-laced attitude made social gatherings uncomfortable.
Although he appeared tight-laced at first, he eventually revealed a sense of humor.
He is known for his tight-laced views on personal conduct.
Her tight-laced upbringing made it hard for her to enjoy casual outings with friends.
The school's tight-laced policies discouraged students from expressing their individuality.
His tight-laced attitude towards relationships left little room for fun and spontaneity.

Synonyms

puritanical

vstight-laced

14 8.2

Disapproving of pleasure and very strict about moral behavior

applies strict standards beyond only pleasure or self-indulgence

prissy

vstight-laced

Informal

13 7.9

Too fussy about being neat and proper

concerns moral rules and social standards rather than cleanliness

prudish

vstight-laced

8 7.1

Easily shocked by sex and strict about modesty

applies strict standards more broadly, not only about sexual modesty

prim

vstight-laced

4 7.0

Very formal and proper in a stiff, old-fashioned way

focuses on moral strictness rather than mere manners

priggish

vstight-laced

Offensive

1 9.9

Acting as if you are better than others about rules and manners

is strict without the superior or moralistic attitude

strait-laced

vstight-laced

1 7.8

Very strict about behavior and dress

focuses more on social standards as well as moral ones

Antonyms

loose

Offensive

52 5.6

Careless about rules and not careful about behavior

easygoing

22 2.6

Being calm and relaxed and not easily upset

How Strict

prudish

8 7.1

tight-laced

8.1

conventional

175 2.8

permissive

Jargon

14 4.9

Surface Forms

tight-laced positive

Morphology

tight-laced = tight + lace (semi-transparent) = tight + lace + ed

The components refer to physically being tightly laced, but the adjectival meaning 'exaggeratedly proper' is metaphorical and requires cultural knowledge.

Etymology

Tight-laced comes from clothing: tight + lace, as when a corset is pulled very tight with laces, like a shoe lace. That's why a 'tight-laced' person is seen as 'closed up' and 'very proper', someone who follows strict rules.