minding one's language
Choosing careful speech
Minding one's language means being careful about word choice, especially avoiding profanity, vulgarity, or rudeness.
The phrase often appears as a command or warning: Mind your language around the children.
It can also mean speaking precisely or diplomatically: She minded her language during the interview, aware that anything could be quoted.
- watch your mouthWarning against careless speech
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- restraintControl over impulses
- euphemismMild substitute for bluntness
- code-switchingAlternating between linguistic varieties
reading the room · decorum · tact · cultural competence · polite society · propriety · mind your manners · discretion · prudence · self-control · holding back · word choice · civility · respectfulness · diplomacy · thoughtfulness · moderation · graciousness
minding one's languageswearing like a sailor
Speaking with excessive profanity
cursing · cussing · letting loose · talking dirty · speaking one's mind
minds, minded, minder, minders, mindful, mindfully, mindfulness, unmindful, remind