do's and don'ts

do's and don'ts

The general rules and regulations of a given activity, operation, or situation. Before you begin your first day working for us, there are a few important do's and don'ts that I need to familiarize you with. Tom doesn't understand the basic do's and don'ts of social etiquette.
See also: and
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

do's and don'ts

Rules or customs concerning some activity, as in It's important to know the do's and don'ts of diplomatic receptions. This expression alludes to what one should and should not do or say. [c. 1900]
See also: and
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the dos and don'ts

COMMON The dos and don'ts of a particular situation are the things you should and should not do in that situation. Disasters can be avoided if a few general dos and don'ts are considered. The publisher produces a detailed booklet and cassette tape full of dos and don'ts for aspiring authors.
See also: and, DOS
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

dos and don'ts

rules of behaviour.
1999 Alumnus Volunteers are prepared well on…cultural dos and don'ts before they leave for the field to serve.
See also: and, DOS
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

do’s and ˈdon’ts

(informal) what to do and what not to do; rules: This book is a useful guide to the do’s and don’ts of choosing and buying your first car.
See also: and
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

do’s and don’ts

n. the rules; the things that should be done and those that should not be done. I must admit that a lot of the do’s and don’ts don’t make much sense to me either.
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McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

do's and don'ts

Rules about what one should and shouldn’t do or say in certain situations. One of the earliest uses of this term appeared in 1902 as the title of a book, Golf Do’s and Don’ts. It rapidly spread into numerous other contexts, as in “Her big sister was about to tell her the do’s and don’ts of a first date.” It has been a cliché for decades.
See also: and
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • do’s and don’ts
  • dos and don'ts
  • the dos and don'ts
  • settle down to (something)
  • practice on
  • practice on (someone or something)
  • excursion
  • alarms and excursions
  • alarums and excursions
  • do (something) by the book
References in periodicals archive
Quoting the PNP list of do's and don'ts, Najera said the police and the military could not make warrantless arrests outside the circumstances listed under the Rules of Court.
160 without IDs held in Davao City
In Chapter 9, learn the do's and don'ts of networking, and find out how to manage your personality in the process.
Schmoozing for the shy
Here are some basic Do's and Don'ts for putting your company on the market.
Selling your assisted living facility: Do's & Don'ts
Because of common misconceptions about the nature of HV-affection, many people may wonder: "how should I treat someone who is HV-positive?" Here is a brief list of do's and don'ts:
HV (Humanae Vitae)-positive Catholics: seeking our place in the Church
of Occupational Health, drew on his 12 years as an OSHA inspector, revealing the inner workings of OSHA inspections during "Do's and Don'ts of an Inspection."
Environmental compliance: 'just do it!'
In a sea of perfectly coiffed hair do's and don'ts, one distinct style stood out at the recent Star Magic Ball.
Lloydie: Hair apparent
For your convenience, the Huffington Post has compiled a list of do's and don'ts for the most productive mail.
How to write an 'effective' email revealed
From the beginning of the planning process and the selection of the construction team, to the day construction ends, the owner or his agent has to be involved in every aspect of the project, said Jeffery Bliss, partner KB companies, at the Construction Do's and Don'ts seminar held at The Harmonic Club.
Builders warn owners: you have got to stay connected
The fact that many business transactions are made at the dining table makes it essential for today's sales professional to know the do's and don'ts of eating out.
Dealing and dining
To improve ergonomics is to improve productivity." He offered a list of "do's and don'ts" for improving workplace ergonomics.
Discussions emphasize practical information
When deployed overseas, Philippine military troops have a list of do's and don'ts to avoid embarrassing the country.
Discipline of Filipino peacekeepers hailed