behavior

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adulterous behavior

Actions that bely not only an unfaithfulness to one's spouse, but also a propensity toward deceit and licentiousness in general. I suspect that Ollie has been engaging in adulterous behavior recently. I wonder if his husband has picked up on it.

See also: behavior

ape (one's) behavior

To mimic the behavior of one, generally in a mocking or derisive manner. It is pretty standard now for comedians to ape the president's behavior and manner of speech.

See also: ape, behavior

be on (one's) best behavior

To be very polite or exercise exceptionally good manners. Primarily heard in US. Now, you kids must be on your best behavior for your Auntie this weekend! Good morning, class. I hope everyone was on their best behavior for the substitute teacher yesterday.

See also: behavior, on

be on (one's) good behavior

To be very polite or exercising exceptionally good manners. Primarily heard in US. Now, you kids must be on your good behavior for your Auntie this weekend! Good morning, class. I hope everyone was on their good behavior for the substitute teacher yesterday.

See also: behavior, good, on

on (one's) best behavior

Being very polite or exercising exceptionally good manners. Primarily heard in US. Now, you kids must be on your best behavior for your Auntie this weekend! Good morning, class. I hope everyone was on their best behavior for the substitute teacher yesterday.

See also: behavior, on

on (one's) good behavior

Being very polite or exercising exceptionally good manners. Primarily heard in US. Now, you kids must be on your good behavior for your Auntie this weekend! Good morning, class. I hope everyone was on their good behavior for the substitute teacher yesterday.

See also: behavior, good, on

time off for good behavior

An amount of time that is taken off of one's prison sentence as a result of following the rules and not causing any trouble. He served six years of an eight-year sentence, with time off for good behavior. Seeing as this is your first offense, you should be able to get time off for good behavior.

See also: behavior, for, good, off, time

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

on one's best behavior

being as polite as possible. When we went out, the children were on their best behavior. I try to be on my best behavior all the time.

See also: behavior, on

*time off for good behavior

 

1. Lit. a reduction in one's prison sentence because of good behavior. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) Bob will get out of jail tomorrow rather than next week. He got time off for good behavior.

2. Fig. a shortened time period—such a meeting, period of punishment, school class, etc. (Jocular. *Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) They let me out of the meeting early. They said I got time off for good behavior.

See also: behavior, for, good, off, time

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

on one's best behavior

Also, on one's good behavior. Very polite, as in Mother told the children to be on their best behavior during Grandma's visit, or The whole staff were on their good behavior while the client inspected the premises. [Late 1600s]

See also: behavior, on

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.