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

“I often felt awkward and hyperconscious, like people were staring at me or that I always had to be on my best behavior so that I represented the Army in a positive way.”

From Washington Times • Nov. 9, 2023

“Critiquing the institution, if done at a high crescendo, hopefully gets the court to be on their best behavior in the future,” Mr. Green said.

From New York Times • Jul. 13, 2023

In a very real sense, we are complicitous in their achievement, since we are the audience for which they were performing; knowing we would be watching helped to keep them on their best behavior.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis