behave oneself
Mind your manners
To behave oneself is to act properly or appropriately, especially when tempted to do otherwise.
The phrase typically appears as a command or warning: Behave yourself at your grandmother's house.
It implies self-restraint—controlling impulses that might lead to rudeness, mischief, or misconduct.
I'll try to behave myself at the party.
Mental strength resisting impulse
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- moderationAvoidance of excess
- composureEmotional self-control
- restraintControl over impulses
impulse control · keep cool · hold back · bite tongue · stay calm
Following commands willingly
- submissiveReadily yielding to control
- docileEasily controlled or taught
- cooperativeJointly operated enterprise
- conformistOne following accepted norms
acquiescent · amenable · tractable · manageable · dutiful · biddable · complaisant · deferential
Showing good manners
- courteousShowing respectful consideration
- refinedPurified or cultured
- civilMinimally polite
- graciousPleasantly kind and courteous
decorous · proper · dignified · tactful · respectful · gentlemanly · ladylike · well-mannered
Suited to circumstance
- properSocially appropriate
- decentAcceptably good
- respectableWorthy of regard
- upstandingMorally upright, honest
moral · virtuous · righteous · principled · ethical · honorable · correct · fitting
willpower
Mental strength resisting impulse
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- moderationAvoidance of excess
- composureEmotional self-control
restraint · impulse control · keep cool · hold back · bite tongue · stay calm
obedient
Following commands willingly
- submissiveReadily yielding to control
- docileEasily controlled or taught
- cooperativeJointly operated enterprise
conformist · acquiescent · amenable · tractable · manageable · dutiful · biddable · complaisant · deferential · meek
polite
Showing good manners
gracious · decorous · proper · dignified · tactful · respectful · gentlemanly · ladylike · well-mannered · courtly
appropriate
Suited to circumstance
- properSocially appropriate
- decentAcceptably good
- respectableWorthy of regard
upstanding · moral · virtuous · righteous · principled · ethical · honorable · correct · fitting · suitable
- reflexive actions
behave oneselfmisbehave
Conduct oneself poorly
act up · act out · cause trouble · run wild · raise hell
behave oneselfdisobey
Refuse to comply
break the rules · rebel · step out of line · resist · talk back
behave, oneself, behavior, behaviour, behavioral, behavioural, behaviorism, behaviourism, behaviorist