p's and q's

American  

noun

1. manners; behavior; conduct (usually preceded by mind orwatch ).

   The children were told to mind their p's and q's.

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p's and q's British  

plural noun

1. behaviour within social conventions; manners (esp in the phrase to mind one's p's and q's )

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Etymology

Origin of p's and q's

First recorded in 1770–80; perhaps from some children's difficulty in distinguishing the two letters

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

p's and q's

Viewed this way, minding our p’s and q’s is less about proscriptive notions of correctness, and more about mindfulness, self-discovery and proper conduct.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 7, 2023

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

For parents worried that virtual assistants are encouraging bad manners in children, it’ll be a good way to prod the little ones to remember their p’s and q’s.

From The Verge ● Nov. 29, 2018

"That's the biggest adjustment. It makes me lock in defensively. I know I have to be on my p's and q's."

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 8, 2018

She snaps back, “Now, you just mind your own p’s and q’s there!”

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

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