Ps and Qs - Mind your | English Idioms and Phrases

Definitions

Be polite and mindful of one's manners
Remind someone to be courteous and considerate in their behavior or speech
Pay attention to detail
Advise someone to be meticulous and careful in their actions or work

Examples of Ps and Qs - Mind your

John's boss scolded him, saying, "Ps and Qs, young man! Always remember to address your clients properly during meetings."

This idiom, "mind your Ps and Qs," means to be careful and polite when speaking, particularly in formal or professional settings. Here, the boss is reminding John to use proper grammar, pronunciation, and etiquette when speaking with clients during business meetings.
The teacher warned the students, "Ps and Qs in the classroom, please! Let's keep the noise level down so everyone can focus on learning."

In this context, "mind your Ps and Qs" means to behave appropriately and follow the rules in a specific setting, like a classroom. The teacher is requesting that the students remain quiet and focused so that everyone can learn without distractions.
The hosts' message at the wedding reception read, "Ps and Qs, please! We ask that all guests use quiet voices and turn off their phones during the ceremony."

Here, "mind your Ps and Qs" is a polite way of reminding guests to respect the dignity and importance of the wedding ceremony. It's a clear way of asking guests to remain quiet and show reverence during the event.
The judge addressed the defendants, saying, "Ps and Qs, you are all entitled to a fair trial, and I expect nothing less."

In a court of law, "mind your Ps and Qs" is a way of reminding those being judged to be polite and well-mannered while they are being tried. It's a way of requesting that they behave appropriately and respect the court's processes and procedures.
During the job interview, the interviewer cautioned the candidate, "Remember to mind your Ps and Qs."

This is a polite way of telling someone to be well-mannered, particularly when meeting new people or in formal situations. It's a reminder to watch your language and behavior carefully.
When giving a presentation to a group of clients, the speaker reminded them, "Please mind your Ps and Qs."

This is a way to encourage the audience to pay close attention and be polite and attentive throughout the presentation.
At a wedding reception, the bride's mother whispered to the guests, "Mind your Ps and Qs, please."

This is a way to remind people to be polite and well-behaved at a formal event, where manners and etiquette are important.
In a crowded elevator, when someone accidentally steps on your foot, you might apologize, "I'm sorry about that. Please mind your Ps and Qs."

This is a polite way of asking the other person to be careful as well, as it's possible that your mistake caused them to step on your foot or bump into you. It's a reminder to be mindful of our actions and behavior, particularly in crowded or tight spaces.

Conclusion

The idiom "Ps and Qs - Mind your" has two main meanings. The first is to remind someone to be polite and mindful of their manners, and the second is to advise someone to pay attention to detail and be meticulous in their actions. It is often used as a gentle reminder to behave courteously or to be careful and precise in one's work.

Origin of "Ps and Qs - Mind your"

The origin of the idiom "Ps and Qs - Mind your" is uncertain, with several theories about its derivation. One theory suggests that it may have originated from the printing industry, where "Ps" and "Qs" were easily confused due to their mirror-image shapes, so printers had to be careful and attentive to distinguish between the two. Another theory proposes that it may have come from old English pub culture, where bartenders would keep track of patrons' consumption by marking "Ps" for pints and "Qs" for quarts. Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom has been used for centuries to remind people to be polite and attentive to detail.