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.

---

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

“Stars never want to throw the audience a curveball,” Mr. Beatty once told the New York Times, “but my great joy is throwing curveballs. Being a star cuts down your effectiveness as an actor, because you become an identifiable part of a product and somewhat predictable. You have to mind your p’s and q’s and nurture your fans. But I like to surprise the audience, to do the unexpected.”

From Washington Post

“Stars never want to throw the audience a curveball,” Beatty once told the New York Times, “but my great joy is throwing curveballs. Being a star cuts down your effectiveness as an actor, because you become an identifiable part of a product and somewhat predictable. You have to mind your p’s and q’s and nurture your fans. But I like to surprise the audience, to do the unexpected.”

From Seattle Times

"Being a star cuts down on your effectiveness as an actor because you become an identifiable part of a product and somewhat predictable. You have to mind your P’s and Q’s and nurture your fans. But I like to surprise the audience, to do the unexpected."

From Fox News

“Being a star cuts down on your effectiveness as an actor because you become an identifiable part of a product and somewhat predictable. You have to mind your P’s and Q’s and nurture your fans. But I like to surprise the audience, to do the unexpected.”

From Seattle Times