know one's place

present singular third person knows one's place · participle present knowing one's place · past knew one's place · participle past known one's place · alternative know your place

1. To understand one's rank or status and behave accordingly; to act humbly.

   Your civilization has seen its final days. You will know your place.

   2007 September 25, Bungie, Halo 3, Microsoft Game Studios, Xbox 360, level/area: Terminal Five (Heroic)

   1 more example

   Had he been taught early and thoroughly to know his place, and be content with his faculty, he would have been one of the happiest and most serviceable of men.

   1871 September 1, John Ruskin, “Letter IX”, in Fors Clavigera. Letters to the Workmen and Labourers of Great Britain, volume I, Orpington, Kent: George Allen, →OCLC, page 7

   Synonyms: stay in one's lane, know some manners

   1. sometimesTo avoid intermixing and interacting with people of other races.

      Synonyms: stay in one's lane, know some manners