What Does "Mind One's P's and Q's" Mean?
"Mind one's p's and q's" is an English idiom. It means "to be careful in one's speech or behavior; to act politely or with proper manners." The origin of the phrase is uncertain, though it may refer to being cautious with one's pints (p's) and quarts (q's) in a tavern setting.Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "mind one's p's and q's" used in a sentence:- You'd better mind your P's and Q's at the formal dinner tonight.
- Children were taught to mind their P's and Q's in front of their elders.
- He was always minding his P's and Q's, ensuring he never offended anyone.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Mind One's P's and Q's" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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