straight and narrow
A path of honesty; a procedure according to rules and plans.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He decided to walk the straight and narrow from now on.”
“After getting into trouble as a teenager, he chose to follow the straight and narrow to build a better life.”
“Despite the immense pressure to cut corners for profit, the company leadership insisted on staying on the straight and narrow to maintain their reputation.”
disputed origin
Probably "strait and narrow," from Matthew 7:14.
- 01
damn straight
Without doubt, certainly, for sure.
- 02
draw a straight furrow
To live correctly or ethically, without deviating from the right line of duty.
- 03
get one's head straight
To clear one's mind; to think clearly.
- 04
get one's priorities straight
Synonym of get one's act together.
- 05
get straight
Synonym of clarify: to make clear, to reach an understanding.
- 06
go straight
To discontinue engaging in criminal acts; to become a law-abiding person.
- 07
keep straight
To avoid confusing or mixing up something; to keep something clear or organized.
- 08
narrow down
To make more specific.
Last updated August 10, 2026