children should be seen and not heard

idiom

used to say that children should be quiet and well-behaved

Examples of children should be seen and not heard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Izzy Wisher, an archeologist who focuses on Upper Paleolithic cave art in Spain, says the Victorian-era belief that children should be seen and not heard may have influenced the scientific discipline. Jaimie Seaton, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2024

Browse Nearby Entries

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Children should be seen and not heard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/children%20should%20be%20seen%20and%20not%20heard. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!