![to [mind] {one's} p's and q's](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/46069/thumb/180?type=jpeg "to [mind] {one's} p's and q's")
to do one's best to be as proper and polite as one is capable of
Ex:
![to [mind|watch] {one's} (language|tongue)](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/46067/thumb/180?type=jpeg "to [mind|watch] {one's} (language|tongue)")
to speak in a manner that is not inappropriate, vulgar, or offensive
Ex:
I
never
allowed
my
kids
to
swear
but
I
also
never
watched
my
language
in front of
them
so
it
's
probably
the
worst
of
both
worlds
.
as polite and well-mannered as one can be
Ex:
At
the
company
's
annual
gala
,
all
employees
are
expected
to
be
on
their
best
behavior
and
represent
the
organization
professionally
.
politically correct
[短语]
(of people, their words, or behavior) not offensive to people of different races, ethnicities, genders, etc.
Ex:
It
is
no longer
politically
correct
to
refer to
the
educationally
subnormal
.
Queensberry rules
[名词]
昆斯伯里规则
Ex:
Each
organisation
has
Queensberry rules
for
its
members
to
follow
.
每个组织都有其成员应遵循的昆斯伯里规则。
![to [put] {one's} best foot forward](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/42370/thumb/180?type=jpeg "to [put] {one's} best foot forward")
to try to behave in the best way possible so as to make a good impression or gain approval
Ex:
When
I
visited
my
girlfriend
's
parents
I
tried
to
be
very
polite
and
put
my
best
foot
forward
.
![to [stand] on ceremony](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/46077/thumb/180?type=jpeg "to [stand] on ceremony")
to behave in an overly polite and formal manner
Ex:
Despite
being
close
relatives
,
the
cousins
always
stood
on
ceremony
with
each other
.
![watch {one's} [mouth]](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/46081/thumb/180?type=jpeg "watch {one's} [mouth]")
used to tell a person that they should talk in a way that is not rude, vulgar, or offensive
Ex:
You
should
watch
your
mouth
when
speaking
to
your
elders
;
it
's
essential
to
show
respect
.
used to apologize for swearing or using offensive words
Ex:
Mr. Secretary
,
pardon
my
language
,
but
I
think
that
's
a lot of
crap
.
as a matter of form
[短语]
said of something that is done only for the sake of formality or just to keep up appearances
Ex:
The
company
always
conducts
background
checks
on
new
employees
as
a
matter
of
form
.
![to [show] {sb} the door](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/46075/thumb/180?type=jpeg "to [show] {sb} the door")
to accompany a guest, visitor, etc. to the exit of a room or building
Ex:
![to [keep] a civil tongue](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/46085/thumb/180?type=jpeg "to [keep] a civil tongue")
to speak in a manner marked by politeness and dignity
Ex:
During
the
family
gathering
,
it
's
essential
to
keep
a
civil
tongue
and
avoid
heated
arguments
.
![to [mince] {one's} words](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/45481/thumb/180?type=jpeg "to [mince] {one's} words")
to choose words carefully so as to avoid offense or give an impression different from the truth
Ex:
She
did
n't
mince
her
words
when
describing
the
flaws
in
the
proposal
,
but
she
did it
in
a
constructive
way
.
![to [pull] {one's} punches](https://cdn.langeek.co/photo/42238/thumb/180?type=jpeg "to [pull] {one's} punches")
to deliberately hold back or lessen the force or impact of one's actions, often to avoid causing harm or offense
Ex:
During
the
presentation
,
he
did
n't
pull
his
punches
and
gave
a
straightforward
critique
of
the
project
's
flaws
.
