straight and narrow

noun

Definition of straight and narrow

: the way of propriety and rectitude —used with the

Examples of straight and narrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And here’s the strangest part: The thieves have started apologizing, profusely, and promising to live on the straight and narrow going forward. — Andy Meek, BGR, "It’s your own fault that Facebook and Google spy on you so much," 6 Apr. 2021 In a 50-year career, Mr. Means became one of the top election lawyers in Illinois, committed to guiding local, state and national candidates onto the ballot and keeping them on the straight and narrow election-law path. — New York Times, "Richard Means, Who Fought for Access to the Ballot, Dies at 78," 6 Jan. 2021 Auto-cars need lane markings to stay on the straight and narrow. — Dave Lieber, Dallas News, "My home insurance jumped, my cable company now charges me to talk to a human, but other than that…," 17 Dec. 2020 Hunt had veered slightly off course, and a stop for speeding in January in Rocky River got him back on the straight and narrow. — Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland, "Browns’ Kareem Hunt: ‘I’m a man on a mission; I’m ready for the journey' as he takes over until Nick Chubb returns," 7 Oct. 2020 The 23-year-old Californian took the straight and narrow. — Doug Ferguson, Star Tribune, "Column: Morikawa part of generation that is ready to win big," 11 Aug. 2020 Compared to some of her compatriots, Jasmine White-Killins – one of the original cast – took the straight and narrow path, majoring in dance at Southern Methodist University, then going on to become a member of Dallas Black Dance Theatre. — David Lyman, Cincinnati.com, "10 years since MTV's 'Taking the Stage': Where are the stars now?," 16 Apr. 2020 Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard among them—in a van, spurning the straight and narrow for an epic surf/ski/climb road trip clear to Argentina. — Daniel Duane, Outside Online, "Why Surfers and Climbers Break Social Distancing Rules," 12 Apr. 2020 Will Malik stay on the straight and narrow or get mixed up with the criminal elements around him? — Elahe Izadi, Washington Post, "‘This Is Us’ returns, and we have a bunch of new characters to worry about," 24 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'straight and narrow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

20 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Straight and narrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straight%20and%20narrow. Accessed 20 Apr. 2021.

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MLA