watch one's p's and q's

idiom

US
: to be careful about behaving in a polite or proper way
We knew to watch our p's and q's around our aunt.

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Cite this Entry

“Watch one's p's and q's.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watch%20one%27s%20p%27s%20and%20q%27s. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

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