keep your manners

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep your manners" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to remind someone to mind their manners, which means to behave in a polite and well-mannered way. For example: "Remember to keep your manners when you meet your new in-laws for the first time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Remember to keep your manners and be polite if someone asks you for something or to stop doing something disturbing.

WikiHow

Always act like you're visiting the Royal Family- there is no better way to keep your manners!

WikiHow

Not everyone is going to be your best friend; however, do your best to always keep your manners at the forefront.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Remember your manners, keep your tolerance level high and forget your comebacks unless you've really been annoyed!

WikiHow

Keep your voice and manner light and friendly.

WikiHow

Keep your conduct, dress, and manner professional, especially at first, until you have some feel for the atmosphere and culture in your new workplace.

WikiHow

Keep a good outlook, mind your manners, be helpful.

Vice

Be careful what you say! Keep those manners on a high when you're with your parents.

WikiHow

They'll find out sooner or later!!! Keep the manners on a high!

WikiHow

Keep these modern manners tips in mind to ensure you wear the pair, and they don't wear you.

HuffPost

Yet despite all these injustices, he still kept the manners of a gentleman.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to "keep your manners", consider the specific context and tailor your advice. For example, 'Keep your manners' might mean avoiding controversial topics at a family dinner.

Common error

Avoid using "keep your manners" when you actually mean 'control your mannerisms'. Manners refer to polite social behavior, while mannerisms are distinctive behavioral traits. For instance, fidgeting is a mannerism, not a matter of manners.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep your manners" functions as an imperative, urging someone to maintain polite and respectful behavior. As Ludwig AI underlines, this is a common expression, particularly when reminding someone to behave appropriately in social settings.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep your manners" is a grammatically correct and usable imperative, though Ludwig AI marks its frequency as rare. It functions as a reminder to maintain polite and respectful behavior, suitable for informal to neutral contexts. While "keep your manners" isn't particularly common, it's a direct way to encourage someone to adhere to social etiquette. When using the phrase, consider the audience and situation to ensure your advice is both helpful and well-received. Remember also the distinction between 'manners' and 'mannerisms' to ensure correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain your etiquette

Focuses specifically on etiquette rather than general manners.

mind your p's and q's

An idiomatic expression emphasizing careful and polite behavior.

be on your best behavior

Highlights the effort to act appropriately in a given situation.

act with courtesy

Emphasizes showing politeness in one's actions.

practice good etiquette

Focuses more specifically on formal rules of behavior.

show respect

Broader term encompassing politeness and consideration for others.

remember your upbringing

Reminds someone to behave according to their learned values.

behave appropriately

A general instruction to act in a suitable manner.

conduct yourself well

Stresses the overall impression created by one's actions.

demonstrate decorum

Refers to dignified and proper behavior.

FAQs

What does it mean to tell someone to "keep your manners"?

To tell someone to "keep your manners" means advising them to maintain polite and respectful behavior, especially in social situations. It's a reminder to act in accordance with established social norms and show consideration for others.

When is it appropriate to say "keep your manners"?

It's appropriate to say "keep your manners" when you observe someone behaving inappropriately or when you want to preemptively remind them to be polite in a formal setting, such as a dinner with superiors or a meeting with important clients.

What are some alternative ways to say "keep your manners"?

Some alternatives include "mind your p's and q's", "be on your best behavior", or simply "be polite", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

How does "keep your manners" differ from "have good manners"?

"Have good manners" describes a general quality of being polite and well-behaved, while "keep your manners" is a specific instruction to maintain that behavior in a particular situation. One is a state of being, the other is a call to action.