p's and q's

p's and q's

noun pl \ˌpēz-^ən-ˈkyüz\

Definition of P'S AND Q'S

1

: something (as one's manners) that one should be mindful of <better watch his p's and q's when I get a six-gun of my own — Jean Stafford>

2

: best behavior <being on her p's and q's for two solid days was too much — Guy McCrone>

Origin of P'S AND Q'S

from the phrase mind one's p's and q's, alluding to the difficulty a child learning to write has in distinguishing between p and q

First Known Use: 1779

Rhymes with P'S AND Q'S

Betelgeuse, circumfuse, disabuse, interfuse, Newport News, Santa Cruz, Syracuse, Veracruz, widow's cruse