People use different words to show polite behavior. These words help us speak nicely and treat others with respect. Sometimes, we also use special phrases called idioms to talk about good or bad manners. These idioms are not always easy to understand just by looking at the words, but they help us say things in a fun and smart way.
Idioms about manners can show if someone is acting kindly, being rude, or learning how to behave better. They help us describe how people treat each other in homes, schools, and even in public. In this article, you’ll learn some common idioms that are used when talking about manners. These will help you speak more clearly and understand others better.
Idioms About Manners
1. Mind your manners
Meaning: Be polite and behave well
Example Sentence:
– Please mind your manners at Grandma’s house.
– The teacher reminded the class to mind their manners during lunch.
Other ways to say: Be polite, show respect
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase has been used since the 1800s to teach children to behave properly.
Usage: Used when someone needs to act respectfully in a place or situation.
2. Raised right
Meaning: Taught good manners and respect
Example Sentence:
– She always says “please” and “thank you.” She was raised right.
– He holds the door open for others because he was raised right.
Other ways to say: Well brought up, taught well
Fun Fact/Origin: People often say this to praise parents for teaching good values.
Usage: Used when someone shows polite behavior learned at home.
3. Put on airs
Meaning: Act like you are better than others
Example Sentence:
– Don’t put on airs just because you have new shoes.
– He started putting on airs after winning the contest.
Other ways to say: Act proud, show off
Fun Fact/Origin: “Airs” means a proud or snobby attitude.
Usage: Used when someone behaves in a stuck-up way.
4. Bite your tongue
Meaning: Stop yourself from saying something rude
Example Sentence:
– I had to bite my tongue when he cut in line.
– She bit her tongue instead of saying something mean.
Other ways to say: Hold back, stay quiet
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s not about really biting your tongue, but stopping words.
Usage: Used when someone avoids saying something unkind.
5. Know better
Meaning: Be expected to act properly
Example Sentence:
– He knows better than to interrupt people.
– You should know better than to yell indoors.
Other ways to say: Be taught right, act correctly
Fun Fact/Origin: Often said to remind someone of rules they already know.
Usage: Used when someone is expected to use good manners.
6. Act your age
Meaning: Behave in a way that fits your age
Example Sentence:
– Throwing a fit? Come on, act your age.
– He’s 10 years old. He should act his age.
Other ways to say: Be mature, behave
Fun Fact/Origin: People use this when someone acts too silly or babyish.
Usage: Used when someone needs to behave more responsibly.
7. Talk back
Meaning: Respond to adults in a rude way
Example Sentence:
– Don’t talk back to your parents.
– She got in trouble for talking back to the teacher.
Other ways to say: Be disrespectful, answer rudely
Fun Fact/Origin: First used in the 1800s to describe rude replies.
Usage: Used when a child or teen answers in a rude tone.
8. Cut in line
Meaning: Go ahead of others waiting
Example Sentence:
– He cut in line at the ice cream truck.
– It’s not polite to cut in line.
Other ways to say: Skip the line, jump ahead
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase comes from waiting in queues.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t wait their turn.
9. Turn your nose up
Meaning: Act like you’re too good for something
Example Sentence:
– Don’t turn your nose up at homemade cookies.
– She turned her nose up at the school lunch.
Other ways to say: Be picky, act spoiled
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of lifting your nose to show dislike.
Usage: Used when someone acts rude about choices or offers.
10. Mind your own business
Meaning: Don’t interfere in other people’s matters
Example Sentence:
– Stop listening in—mind your own business.
– I told my brother to mind his own business.
Other ways to say: Stay out of it, don’t snoop
Fun Fact/Origin: People have used this phrase for centuries to stop nosiness.
Usage: Used when someone needs to stop asking or watching.
11. Say the magic words
Meaning: Use polite words like “please” and “thank you”
Example Sentence:
– What are the magic words? Say “please”!
– She always remembers to say the magic words.
Other ways to say: Use kind words, be polite
Fun Fact/Origin: Parents and teachers often use this to remind kids.
Usage: Used when encouraging someone to speak kindly.
12. Don’t be a sore loser
Meaning: Don’t be rude or angry when you lose
Example Sentence:
– He pouted after losing. Don’t be a sore loser.
– You can try again. Just don’t be a sore loser.
Other ways to say: Accept defeat, be a good sport
Fun Fact/Origin: “Sore” once meant upset or hurt—now it means bad attitude.
Usage: Used when someone loses and reacts badly.
13. Don’t speak out of turn
Meaning: Don’t interrupt when it’s not your turn
Example Sentence:
– He spoke out of turn during the lesson.
– Wait your turn. Don’t speak out of turn.
Other ways to say: Wait to talk, take turns
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from taking turns in class or meetings.
Usage: Used in group settings when someone interrupts.
14. A chip on your shoulder
Meaning: Act rude because you feel upset or angry
Example Sentence:
– He has a chip on his shoulder about the game.
– Don’t walk around with a chip on your shoulder.
Other ways to say: Hold a grudge, act mad
Fun Fact/Origin: In the 1800s, people put a chip of wood on their shoulder to start fights.
Usage: Used when someone acts angry all the time.
15. Give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning: Ignore someone on purpose
Example Sentence:
– She gave me the cold shoulder after our fight.
– He felt bad when his friend gave him the cold shoulder.
Other ways to say: Ignore, be unfriendly
Fun Fact/Origin: Long ago, people would serve a cold meal to unwelcome guests.
Usage: Used when someone is being left out or treated coldly.
16. Manners maketh the man
Meaning: Good manners show a person’s true character
Example Sentence:
– He’s kind and polite. Manners maketh the man.
– People like her because she’s well-mannered.
Other ways to say: Being polite is important, respect matters
Fun Fact/Origin: This is a very old saying from the 1300s.
Usage: Used to show how important manners are in life.
17. Like a bull in a china shop
Meaning: Act in a clumsy or careless way
Example Sentence:
– He ran through the room like a bull in a china shop.
– Be careful—not like a bull in a china shop!
Other ways to say: Be gentle, act carefully
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of a big animal crashing into breakable items.
Usage: Used when someone is too rough or loud.
18. Keep your elbows off the table
Meaning: A reminder to show table manners
Example Sentence:
– Elbows off the table, please.
– At dinner, she kept her elbows off the table.
Other ways to say: Sit properly, have good posture
Fun Fact/Origin: Long ago, people believed elbows on tables were rude and unsafe.
Usage: Used when teaching table manners.
19. Chew with your mouth closed
Meaning: Eat in a neat, quiet way
Example Sentence:
– Don’t talk with food. Chew with your mouth closed.
– He learned to chew with his mouth closed.
Other ways to say: Eat politely, use manners at meals
Fun Fact/Origin: A basic rule in many cultures for good dining behavior.
Usage: Used when reminding someone to eat nicely.
20. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all
Meaning: Stay quiet if your words are unkind
Example Sentence:
– She remembered, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything.”
– He stayed quiet because he didn’t have anything nice to say.
Other ways to say: Be kind, don’t be rude
Fun Fact/Origin: Often taught to children to help them think before they speak.
Usage: Used to teach kindness in conversations.
21. Wipe your feet
Meaning: Clean your shoes before entering
Example Sentence:
– Wipe your feet before coming inside.
– He forgot to wipe his feet and left muddy prints.
Other ways to say: Clean your shoes, show respect
Fun Fact/Origin: Helps keep homes clean and shows good manners.
Usage: Used as a polite rule when entering someone’s home.
22. Speak when spoken to
Meaning: Only speak when someone invites you
Example Sentence:
– At formal dinners, kids are told to speak when spoken to.
– He waited quietly until spoken to.
Other ways to say: Wait to speak, listen first
Fun Fact/Origin: Once common in formal places like courts or big meetings.
Usage: Used in formal or respectful settings.
23. Don’t make a scene
Meaning: Don’t act loudly or cause drama
Example Sentence:
– She cried in the store, but her mom said, “Don’t make a scene.”
– He got upset but didn’t want to make a scene.
Other ways to say: Stay calm, behave
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of acting in public like it’s a show.
Usage: Used when someone is too loud or dramatic in public.
24. Clean up after yourself
Meaning: Take care of your own mess
Example Sentence:
– Clean up after yourself when you’re done eating.
– She always cleans up after herself at school.
Other ways to say: Pick up your mess, be tidy
Fun Fact/Origin: A common rule in schools, homes, and libraries.
Usage: Used to teach responsibility and manners.
25. Use your inside voice
Meaning: Speak quietly when indoors
Example Sentence:
– Use your inside voice at the library.
– The teacher told them to use their inside voices.
Other ways to say: Talk softly, don’t shout
Fun Fact/Origin: Taught in classrooms to help keep things calm.
Usage: Used when reminding someone to be quiet indoors.
26. Don’t slam the door
Meaning: Close the door gently
Example Sentence:
– Don’t slam the door when you leave.
– He got mad and slammed the door, which wasn’t polite.
Other ways to say: Close it nicely, be gentle
Fun Fact/Origin: Slamming doors can seem rude or angry.
Usage: Used when teaching people to be calm and respectful.
27. Thank you goes a long way
Meaning: Saying thank you is very important
Example Sentence:
– Saying “thank you” goes a long way in showing respect.
– He always says thank you—it goes a long way.
Other ways to say: Be thankful, show kindness
Fun Fact/Origin: Small polite words can create good feelings in others.
Usage: Used when showing how gratitude makes a difference.
28. Patience is a virtue
Meaning: Waiting calmly is a good thing
Example Sentence:
– Be patient. Remember, patience is a virtue.
– She didn’t complain—patience is a virtue!
Other ways to say: Be calm, wait nicely
Fun Fact/Origin: A very old saying from long ago, still used today.
Usage: Used when teaching someone to wait without fuss.
29. Keep your hands to yourself
Meaning: Don’t touch others or their things
Example Sentence:
– Keep your hands to yourself during story time.
– He was told to keep his hands to himself in class.
Other ways to say: Don’t touch, respect others’ space
Fun Fact/Origin: Common classroom rule in many schools.
Usage: Used to teach respect for personal space.
30. Say excuse me
Meaning: Use polite words to get attention or say sorry
Example Sentence:
– Say “excuse me” when you bump into someone.
– She said “excuse me” to ask for help.
Other ways to say: Be polite, ask nicely
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase is used in many cultures to show manners.
Usage: Used when someone needs to speak or move politely.
31. Don’t hog the spotlight
Meaning: Don’t take all the attention
Example Sentence:
– Let others talk. Don’t hog the spotlight.
– He always hogs the spotlight at parties.
Other ways to say: Share the moment, let others shine
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from acting and lights on stage.
Usage: Used when reminding someone to share attention.
32. Wait your turn
Meaning: Don’t go before others
Example Sentence:
– Please wait your turn at the water fountain.
– She waited her turn to speak.
Other ways to say: Be patient, take turns
Fun Fact/Origin: Important for games, lines, and talking.
Usage: Used when teaching fair play and respect.
33. Say you’re sorry
Meaning: Apologize when you do something wrong
Example Sentence:
– Say you’re sorry if you bump someone.
– He said sorry for yelling.
Other ways to say: Apologize, make it right
Fun Fact/Origin: Saying sorry helps keep peace and build friendships.
Usage: Used when someone needs to take responsibility.
34. Don’t interrupt
Meaning: Wait until someone finishes talking
Example Sentence:
– Don’t interrupt when others are speaking.
– She raised her hand instead of interrupting.
Other ways to say: Wait to speak, listen first
Fun Fact/Origin: Helps conversations flow politely.
Usage: Used in school and at home to teach listening.
35. Use table manners
Meaning: Eat and behave properly at meals
Example Sentence:
– Use your table manners at dinner.
– He forgot his table manners at the party.
Other ways to say: Be polite while eating, eat properly
Fun Fact/Origin: Table manners vary in different cultures, but are always important.
Usage: Used to guide behavior during meals.
Quiz: Idioms About Manners
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “mind your manners” mean?
A) Eat lots of food
B) Be polite and behave well
C) Go outside to play
2. If someone says “don’t talk back,” what are they telling you?
A) Don’t answer rudely
B) Say the same thing again
C) Whisper quietly
3. What does “raised right” mean?
A) The person is tall
B) They were taught good manners
C) They like raising their hand
4. If you “cut in line,” what did you do?
A) Waited patiently
B) Helped others find the line
C) Skipped ahead of others
5. What does “bite your tongue” mean?
A) Speak louder
B) Say something rude
C) Stay quiet instead of being rude
6. What does “act your age” mean?
A) Be silly and loud
B) Behave like someone your age
C) Pretend to be older
7. If someone “gives you the cold shoulder,” what are they doing?
A) Hugging you
B) Ignoring you
C) Talking too much
8. What does “don’t hog the spotlight” mean?
A) Share attention with others
B) Turn off the light
C) Talk quietly
9. What does “say the magic words” usually mean?
A) Shout a spell
B) Use polite words like please and thank you
C) Clap your hands
10. If your teacher says, “don’t make a scene,” what do they want?
A) Be calm in public
B) Put on a play
C) Decorate the room
11. What does “wait your turn” mean?
A) Go first
B) Be patient and let others go
C) Run fast
12. What does “say you’re sorry” mean?
A) Leave the room
B) Apologize for a mistake
C) Start laughing
Answer Key
- B – Be polite and behave well
- A – Don’t answer rudely
- B – They were taught good manners
- C – Skipped ahead of others
- C – Stay quiet instead of being rude
- B – Behave like someone your age
- B – Ignoring you
- A – Share attention with others
- B – Use polite words like please and thank you
- A – Be calm in public
- B – Be patient and let others go
- B – Apologize for a mistake
Wrapping Up
Manners help us get along with others. They show kindness and respect. Idioms about manners are fun and useful. They help us understand how people should behave in school, at home, or in public. Learning these idioms helps you speak better and act better too.
Try to remember a few of these idioms. Use them when you talk to others. When you show good manners, people notice. Good manners make life nicer for everyone.
