know one's place

know (one's) place

To be aware of the limit of one's role in a particular place or situation. I know my place, so I don't bother the CEO when I see him around the office. I'm just an intern, after all.
See also: know, place
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

know one's place

Behave suitably for one's position, rank, or status. This idiom often has the sense of "to behave humbly, not criticize ones' superiors," as in Sorry, I know my place and I can't tell you more about my supervisor's plans. [Late 1500s] Also see put one in one's place.
See also: know, place
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • know (one's) place
  • know place
  • know your place
  • keep (one's) place
  • keep place
  • be out
  • be out in bloom
  • barrel in
  • barrel in(to)
  • fly off
References in periodicals archive
The characteristic moral of the stories is that one should know one's place and refrain from being greedy.
The Japanese versions of the story are similar to the Chinese, and generally teach that one should know one's place.
Cultural Assimilation and the Cross-National Marriage Ethics in Korea under Japanese Rule: The Transformation of the Fable "The Wedding of the Mouse" in East Asia
It is always good to know one's place. With Gass as a colleague, I have had the greatest advantage a writer can have: direct contact with a level of accomplishment always out of reach, like the lure greyhounds chase at dog races.
Second is last