the straight and narrow
noun
informal
: the way of living that is honest and morally proper
His wife keeps him on the straight and narrow.
Examples of the straight and narrow in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Breakfast is a more casual affair on the patio, where fresh smoothies, fruit, and granola keep the wellness crowd on the straight and narrow—until traditional Sicilian cakes and pastries such as apricot cake lead them astray.
—
Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Critical safeguards — meant to protect taxpayers and keep public officials in the sunshine and on the straight and narrow — have been significantly weakened by the Legislature.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
And then there’s Lousy Louie, a basically swell kid, trying to stick to the straight and narrow during his first year of parole.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2025
Would that Hamilton had had a republican mother to teach him the straight and narrow path of self-government!
—Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Marcus Jordan is on the straight and narrow after a difficult last few years.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 8 Oct. 2025
The Bad Guys 2 catches up with the crew of animal outlaws, led by the ever-cunning Mr. Wolf, trying to stay on the straight and narrow path.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 31 July 2025
And a lot of people thought, ‘Well, OK, the courts can keep us on the straight and narrow.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 15 July 2025
Hurray for the judges and prosecutors who keep it all on the straight and narrow.
—Howard Blum, Air Mail, 12 July 2025
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Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Critical safeguards — meant to protect taxpayers and keep public officials in the sunshine and on the straight and narrow — have been significantly weakened by the Legislature.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
And then there’s Lousy Louie, a basically swell kid, trying to stick to the straight and narrow during his first year of parole.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2025
Would that Hamilton had had a republican mother to teach him the straight and narrow path of self-government!
—Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Marcus Jordan is on the straight and narrow after a difficult last few years.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 8 Oct. 2025
The Bad Guys 2 catches up with the crew of animal outlaws, led by the ever-cunning Mr. Wolf, trying to stay on the straight and narrow path.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 31 July 2025
And a lot of people thought, ‘Well, OK, the courts can keep us on the straight and narrow.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 15 July 2025
Hurray for the judges and prosecutors who keep it all on the straight and narrow.
—Howard Blum, Air Mail, 12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“The straight and narrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20straight%20and%20narrow. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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