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

“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

As for the children being proof of the value of Penelope’s education...well, the Incorrigibles’ best behavior was very good indeed, but their less-than-best could be positively hair-raising.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood