straight and narrow

noun

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Definition of straight and narrow

: the way of propriety and rectitude —used with the

Recent Examples of straight and narrow from the Web

Who wants to live vicariously through a former addict's daily effort to stay on the straight and narrow?

— hank stuever, chicagotribune.com, "'Patrick Melrose' is the Cumberbatch-iest show ever made - and that's a good thing," 10 May 2018
Can fourth-round pick Antonio Callaway stay on the straight and narrow?

— cleveland.com, "When will Baker Mayfield win the Browns' starting job? Hey, Mary Kay!," 8 May 2018
His father, Dennis, was a respected UConn gridiron legend who kept sons Aaron and D.J. on the straight and narrow.

— don oldenburg, USA TODAY, "James Patterson brings thriller approach to 'All-American' killer Aaron Hernandez's story," 22 Jan. 2018
Aaron's parents, Dennis and Teri, were determined to keep the boys on the straight and narrow.

— CBS News, "All-American Murder: The Rise and Fall of Aaron Hernandez," 20 Jan. 2018
The superpowers’ balancing of laissez-faire and a tight fist was usually enough to keep major clients such as Turkey and Iran, and even Arab-nationalist dictators, on the straight and narrow path of cooperation with them.

— david pryce-jones, National Review, "Is Arab Democracy Possible?," 16 Jan. 2018
Here are some highlights to keep you on the straight and narrow.

— chris haghirian, kansascity, "New year, new shows: Krizz Kaliko, Claire Adams, Use Your Atlas," 9 Jan. 2018
But the goal of the festive visit isn't just to reward the parents - it's also intended to strengthen family bonds that could reduce recidivism and help keep kids on the straight and narrow.

— keri blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Santa Claus pays belated visit to Harris County jail," 28 Dec. 2017
But for Ralphie and the rest of us, unsavory consequences don’t reliably keep us on the straight and narrow.

— laura regensdorf, Vogue, "Naughty or Nice? 20 Chic Beauty Gifts for the Good and Playfully Bad on Your List," 12 Dec. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of straight and narrow

probably alteration of strait and narrow; from the admonition of Matthew 7:14 (King James Version), "strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life"

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1930

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year