dos and don'ts

dos and don'ts

Meanings:
– rules about what you must do and what you must not do in a specific condition
– what is recommended or allowed and what is not within an area or issue, etc.
– rules or customs concerning some activity
– the rules; the things that should be done and those that should not be done

Examples:
1. In the back of the guide there's a list of the dos and don'ts of local etiquette.
2. It's important to know the do's and don'ts of diplomatic receptions.
3. I must confess that a bunch of the do's and don'ts don't create much wisdom to me either.
4. It pays to know the dos and don'ts of political conference in advance.

Origin:
This expression alludes to what one should and should not do or say. [c. 1900]