ENGLISH
REFERENCE

straight and narrow

idiom
Meaning

A path of honesty; a procedure according to rules and plans.


Origin

disputed origin

Probably "strait and narrow," from Matthew 7:14.

Examples
SIMPLE

He decided to walk the straight and narrow from now on.

CONTEXTUAL

After getting into trouble as a teenager, he chose to follow the straight and narrow to build a better life.

COMPLEX

Despite the immense pressure to cut corners for profit, the company leadership insisted on staying on the straight and narrow to maintain their reputation.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    damn straight

    Without doubt, certainly, for sure.

  2. 02

    draw a straight furrow

    To live correctly or ethically, without deviating from the right line of duty.

  3. 03

    get one's head straight

    To clear one's mind; to think clearly.

  4. 04

    get one's priorities straight

    Synonym of get one's act together.

  5. 05

    get straight

    Synonym of clarify: to make clear, to reach an understanding.

  6. 06

    go straight

    To discontinue engaging in criminal acts; to become a law-abiding person.

  7. 07

    keep straight

    To avoid confusing or mixing up something; to keep something clear or organized.

  8. 08

    narrow down

    To make more specific.

© 2026 English Reference