be civil
Mind your manners
To be civil is to treat others with basic politeness and respect, even when you disagree with them or dislike them.
The phrase often appears as a command or request to dial down hostility: Can we at least be civil to each other?
Being civil doesn't require warmth or friendliness—just enough courtesy to keep interactions from becoming hostile or degrading.
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- mind your mannersAdmonition to be courteous
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- decorumFitting social conduct
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
self-control · bite your tongue · cool your jets · composure · graciousness · listen · cool-headed · empathy · propriety · mediation · defuse · good faith · patience · reconciliation · respectfulness · tolerance · agree to disagree · equanimity
be civillose one's temper
React with sudden anger
fly off the handle · blow up · lash out · go off · explode
civil, citizen, civic, civilian, civilized, civilization, uncivilized, uncivil, civility