mind your p's and q's

Cultural  

1. Pay attention to details: “We want this operation to run smoothly, so everyone please mind your p's and q's.” When learning to write, children often reverse these letters, so the teacher would admonish the students to be extra careful when writing them.

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Example Sentences

Being aware of how to mind your p's and q's in each of those places is essential to getting by or possibly moving up in the world.

From Salon • Nov. 24, 2022

You must mind your p’s and q’s with him; he is a wonderfully stand-off chap, and generally manages to take against people.”

From Old Familiar Faces by Watts-Dunton, Theodore

My mother's the cook here; you'll have to mind your p's and q's or else you'll be dropped on.

From Esther Waters by Moore, George (George Augustus)

You'll have to mind your p's and q's.

From A Patriotic Schoolgirl by Salmon, Balliol

She's a queer old cove, and if you don't mind your p's and q's she will take your head off.

From Bessie's Fortune A Novel by Holmes, Mary Jane