best behavior

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Larry Ellison predicts an AI-powered surveillance state in which “citizens will be on their best behavior, because we’re constantly recording and reporting everything that is going on.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

They should have been on their best behavior on Tuesday to avoid any glimmer of impropriety.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2024

In elementary school, she spent Christmas at a neighborhood friend’s house in Andover, Mass., where she had to wear her best clothes and be on her best behavior.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 21, 2023

The gift of the most outrageous comedies, after all, is that they allow us, for an hour or two in a darkened room, to leave best behavior and safe spaces at the door.

From New York Times • Jun. 13, 2023

"And I want you to be on your best behavior, Buster," said his father, who happened to wander into the kitchen at that moment.

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville