not quite the thing

not quite the thing

Not considered socially acceptable, respectable, or appropriate. Primarily heard in UK. She found herself pregnant without being married, which was not quite the thing for a lady in Victorian England. Surely you knew that wearing a tracksuit to a job interview wasn't quite the thing, right?See also: not, quite, thing

not ˌquite the ˈthing


1 not considered socially acceptable: It wouldn’t be quite the thing to turn up in jeans and trainers.
2 (old-fashioned) not healthy or normalSee also: not, quite, thing