If you’re looking for another way to say “goody two-shoes” in a formal or informal setting, this article is here to help!
Below, we’ll show you how to say “goody two-shoes” using a list of unique words and phrases.
So, keep reading!
Goody Two-Shoes Synonyms
- Strait-laced
- Suck-up
- Brown nose
- Sycophant
- Teacher’s pet
- Goody-goody
- Spoilsport
- Killjoy
- Bootlicker
- Kiss-up
- Stick-in-the-mud
- Prude
- Moral zealot
- Prissy
- Innocent
- Rule follower
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “Goody two-shoes” is a correct phrase that we usually use to criticize someone’s virtuous or pious behavior.
- In more formal circumstances, you can use the formal synonym “strait-laced.”
- In an informal setting, you can call someone a “suck-up.”
Stay where you are! In the next section, we’ll discuss our favorite synonyms for “goody two-shoes” in more detail. We’ll also show you how to use them in some examples.
After that, we’ll discuss whether “goody two-shoes” is a correct phrase and how it should be hyphenated.
Strait-laced (Formal)
If you’re looking for a more formal way to say “goody two-shoes,” we would recommend “strait-laced” as an alternative.
Essentially, a person who is “strait-laced” subscribes very strictly to certain manners, morals, etiquettes, or opinions.
This phrase creates the image of someone very particular about how they fasten their clothing. Thus, this makes it a great metaphor for someone who is generally set in their ways.
However, it’s important not to misspell this phrase as “straight-laced.” While “straight” means that something is without any bends or curls, “strait” refers to something narrow or constricted.
Therefore, it makes sense that “strait-laced” refers to someone with a very fixed and narrow view of what’s right and what’s wrong.
Consider how we’ve used this phrase in a sentence:
Mr. Bretman was always strait-laced and unyielding, but he’s become even more impossible to negotiate with in his later years.
“Strait-laced” is certainly a better phrase to use than “goody two-shoes” in a formal setting. After all, it’s significantly more polite than the rather critical original phrase.
Therefore, it’s a safer option to go with in your professional correspondence at work.
Check out this email sample to see what we mean:
Dear Cloyette,
I found Janette to be rather strait-laced during her training, but I can only compliment the quality of her work.
Sincerely,
Phoenix
Suck-Up (Informal)
Another word for “goody two-shoes” is “suck-up,” although this alternative is rather critical and rude.
Essentially, a “suck-up” is someone who desperately tries to obtain approval from an authority figure by being flattering or ingratiating.
Consider this example:
Isabella is such a suck-up, and that’s the reason she gets all the best projects.
We’ve all met someone at school or work who tries too hard to be liked by the teacher or higher-ups. They can be rather annoying to work with!
“Suck-up” is not a better phrase to use than “goody two-shoes,” as they are equally informal.
Therefore, you should only use this phrase when you are speaking to friends or coworkers with whom you have a friendly and casual relationship.
If you use it in front of a client or superior, this could damage your professional reputation. Therefore, we would act with caution whenever you choose to use this synonym!
Let’s see this phrase in a casual email to a coworker:
Hi Nia,
The meeting was pretty embarrassing today.
Luke was being a suck-up, as usual, but the manager didn’t seem impressed.
All the best,
Carl
Is It Correct to Say “Goody Two-Shoes”?
The phrase “goody two-shoes” is correct.
We generally use it to be critical of someone who doesn’t take any risks or tries too hard to be perfect.
Therefore, this phrase is often used as an insult for someone who is overly well-behaved, virtuous, or smug.
We wouldn’t recommend that you use this phrase in a formal or professional context. After all, it may come across as unkind.
However, you might get away with it if you are speaking to a colleague you are close to at work. Just make sure the person you’re talking about doesn’t find out!
If you’re wondering how to hyphenate the phrase “goody two-shoes,” we’ll discuss that next!
Essentially, whether you write this phrase with or without a hyphen between “two” and “shoes” is a stylistic choice.
Both “goody two-shoes” and “goody two shoes” are perfectly correct.
However, you should only write this phrase as “goody-two-shoes,” with a hyphen between each word, when you are using it as an adjective phrase before a noun. For example:
I hope I don’t see that goody-two-shoes secretary from last year’s conference.
Wanna keep our list of synonyms in your arsenal? Then go ahead and bookmark this page!