mind p’s and q’s

Meaning, Examples, Pronunciation

To “mind p’s and q’s” means to be very polite and careful about your behavior or language.

Watch how to use in real life

Watch native speakers using the expression "

mind p’s and q’s

" in real life situations.

Meaning & Origin

The phrase mind p’s and q’s dates to the 1600s. Its exact origin is debated—popular theories mention printers avoiding confusion between the letters p and q, bartenders tracking “pints and quarts,” or dance teachers correcting footwork. Regardless, it means “mind your manners.”

Pronunciation Guide

Say it as MIND P’s and Q’s: /maɪnd piːz ænd kjuːz/.

Usage & Sentence Examples

You’ll meet the CEO—mind your p’s and q’s.
Kids are told to mind their p’s and q’s at school.
On camera, politicians mind their p’s and q’s.

Synonyms

mind your manners
be on your best behavior
watch your language
be polite
be careful

Pronunciation test

1. Click Record and read the sentence
2. Pronounce AI scores your pronunciation and fluency
‍

FAQ

Is it formal?

Neutral to informal; in formal writing use “observe proper etiquette” or “be on your best behavior.”

Do I need the word “your”?

Both forms occur: “mind your p’s and q’s” (most common) and “mind p’s and q’s.”

Is capitalization important?

Not for meaning. You’ll see p’s and q’s written with or without capitals and with either straight or curly apostrophes.

beat around the bush

break the ice

Alice Phyu

The user experience is very good and the UI is visually appealing and intuitive.

Cesar Cabrera

This is amazing, it really helps to record your pronunciation and compare it to how you should pronounce.

Ahmed Elsayed

A very good site, it helped me a lot to improve my english skills

Mikhail Polykovsky

Great application for improving your pronounciation in English.

Iva Tania

This application is really cool and user-friendly for beginner.

Alice Phyu

The user experience is very good and the UI is visually appealing and intuitive.

Cesar Cabrera

This is amazing, it really helps to record your pronunciation and compare it to how you should pronounce.

Ahmed Elsayed

A very good site, it helped me a lot to improve my english skills

Mikhail Polykovsky

Great application for improving your pronounciation in English.

Iva Tania

This application is really cool and user-friendly for beginner.

Alice Phyu

The user experience is very good and the UI is visually appealing and intuitive.

Cesar Cabrera

This is amazing, it really helps to record your pronunciation and compare it to how you should pronounce.

Ahmed Elsayed

A very good site, it helped me a lot to improve my english skills

Mikhail Polykovsky

Great application for improving your pronounciation in English.

Iva Tania

This application is really cool and user-friendly for beginner.

Ms Elin

Although I only tried the free version, it helps me a lot! I even recommend this website to others on my social media.

Joshua Salazar

I love this app. It helps me a lot to improve my pronunciation.

Zuhaib Ashfaq

The impressive thing about Pronounce is that it lets you communicate in a real-life scenario with an AI bot

Maryam Reda

I like this site because it helps me to know my mistakes in pronunciation.

Damen A

To be honest, my experience with Pronounce was incredible. Actually, I learned many things, and I advanced my pronunciation.

Ms Elin

Although I only tried the free version, it helps me a lot! I even recommend this website to others on my social media.

Joshua Salazar

I love this app. It helps me a lot to improve my pronunciation.

Zuhaib Ashfaq

The impressive thing about Pronounce is that it lets you communicate in a real-life scenario with an AI bot

Maryam Reda

I like this site because it helps me to know my mistakes in pronunciation.

Damen A

To be honest, my experience with Pronounce was incredible. Actually, I learned many things, and I advanced my pronunciation.

Ms Elin

Although I only tried the free version, it helps me a lot! I even recommend this website to others on my social media.

Joshua Salazar

I love this app. It helps me a lot to improve my pronunciation.

Zuhaib Ashfaq

The impressive thing about Pronounce is that it lets you communicate in a real-life scenario with an AI bot

Maryam Reda

I like this site because it helps me to know my mistakes in pronunciation.

Damen A

To be honest, my experience with Pronounce was incredible. Actually, I learned many things, and I advanced my pronunciation.

Must Read Content

How to talk so people will listen

When words like “deck” and “prototype” are misunderstood, projects lose time. This guide teaches a clear 4-step empathy method.

A Quick Guide to Empathy in the Office

Language mix-ups like ‘ping’ vs ‘deck’ can stall projects. Master empathy, reclaim time, and rehearse clearer English with Pronounce AI

Real‑Time vs. Delayed Feedback — Does Timing Change Learner Uptake?

Does timing matter in pronunciation feedback? This deep dive shows how real-time vs. delayed feedback shapes fluency, memory, and motivation.

The U.S. Citizenship Test in 2025: What Every ESL Applicant Needs to Know

Full-step ESL guide to ace the U.S. citizenship English & civics tests. Study plan, exemptions, speaking tips, official links.

It’s Not the Accent, It’s the Confidence: Why Owning Your Voice Beats Sounding ‘Native’

How mindset blocks slow pronunciation progress — and what you can do about it

Six Met Gala 2025 Words English‑Learners (and Natives) Keep Mispronouncing

Master these six words and, next first Monday in May, you’ll critique every look—in flawless English.

Pronunciation Anxiety in Adult ESL: 6 Teacher‑Tested Ways to Lower the Affective Filter

Why adult ESL learners freeze during pronunciation—and 6 teacher-tested ways to lower anxiety and boost confident speaking.

International May Day vs. American Labor Day: What’s the Difference?

Celebrate May 1, known as May Day, recognized in many countries for workers' rights. Explore culture, grammar tips, & AI tools.

How to talk so people will listen

When words like “deck” and “prototype” are misunderstood, projects lose time. This guide teaches a clear 4-step empathy method.

A Quick Guide to Empathy in the Office

Language mix-ups like ‘ping’ vs ‘deck’ can stall projects. Master empathy, reclaim time, and rehearse clearer English with Pronounce AI

Real‑Time vs. Delayed Feedback — Does Timing Change Learner Uptake?

Does timing matter in pronunciation feedback? This deep dive shows how real-time vs. delayed feedback shapes fluency, memory, and motivation.

The U.S. Citizenship Test in 2025: What Every ESL Applicant Needs to Know

Full-step ESL guide to ace the U.S. citizenship English & civics tests. Study plan, exemptions, speaking tips, official links.

Get Started with
Pronounce

Try for Free!

mind p’s and q’s

Watch how to use in real life

Meaning & Origin

Pronunciation Guide

Usage & Sentence Examples

Synonyms

Pronunciation test

FAQ

Speak More

Idioms

Must Read Content

Get Started with
Pronounce

Products

Usecases

Resources

Articles

mind p’s and q’s

Watch how to use in real life

Meaning & Origin

Pronunciation Guide

Usage & Sentence Examples

Synonyms

Pronunciation test

FAQ

Speak More

Idioms

Must Read Content

Get Started with Pronounce

Products

Usecases

Resources

Articles

Get Started with
Pronounce