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.

He was on his best behavior since it was in dad’s London office, and advisers entered the room throughout the day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

If you can do the cauliflower, you better be on your best behavior.’

From Slate • Oct. 31, 2024

I was told that if I was on my best behavior, I would go to the sought-after public elementary school down the street and finally get my own room.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2024

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

But being around people he didn’t know always made Chess feel like he had to be on his best behavior.

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix