The phrase "proper amount" refers to an adequate or sufficient quantity of something that is needed for a particular purpose, task, or situation. It implies that the amount in question is not too much nor too little but just right and appropriate for what it is intended to be used for. The term can be applied to various contexts such as measurements in cooking, dosages in medicine, quantities of materials required for a project, among others. In essence, "proper amount" means having the correct or suitable quantity that ensures effectiveness and efficiency without causing waste or harm.