behave badly

Meaning

This phrase means to act in a way that is impolite, disruptive, or socially unacceptable. It is used to describe the actions of children, adults, or even animals and systems (like a computer acting up). The tone is neutral and descriptive.

Examples

• The children started to behave badly because they were tired and hungry.

  The children started to behave badly because they were tired and hungry.

• If customers behave badly toward the staff, they will be asked to leave.

  If customers behave badly toward the staff, they will be asked to leave.

• I apologize if my dog behaved badly at your house yesterday.

  I apologize if my dog behaved badly at your house yesterday.

• Some guests behaved badly at the wedding, drinking too much and causing a scene.

  Some guests behaved badly at the wedding, drinking too much and causing a scene.

• It's easy to behave badly when you think nobody is watching you.

  It's easy to behave badly when you think nobody is watching you.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The kids behaved bad during the flight.

  ✓ The kids behaved badly during the flight.

  'Behave' is a verb and must be modified by the adverb 'badly', not the adjective 'bad'.

• ✗ He was behaving himself badly.

  ✓ He was behaving badly.

  'Behave oneself' is a reflexive idiom that means to behave well. Do not combine 'oneself' with 'badly'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The school principal warned the students not to ___ during the field trip.

  💡 Act inappropriately or break rules.

  Show answer

  behave badly

• I don't want to invite him to the party because he always seems to ___ when he drinks.

  💡 Act poorly or rudely.

  Show answer

  behave badly