straight and narrow

NOUN

right conduct

Synonyms

WEAK

honesty integrity moral integrity morality proper conduct righteousness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Rashford has taken a significant stride on that road to redemption - now can he use the Barcelona stage to finally put his career back on the straight and narrow?

From BBC • Sep. 18, 2025

His three-card monte skills are storied in the neighborhood, but he’s determined to proceed down the straight and narrow.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2025

Houlahan and Curtis decided to focus on oncogenes, normal genes that, when mutated, can free a cell from regulatory pathways meant to keep it on the straight and narrow.

From Science Daily • May 30, 2024

The entry point to superhero and anti-hero movies and TV shows is straight and narrow, in the most literal sense.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2024

“I may not be the most straight and narrow sheriff in town, but last I checked I’m the only sheriff in town. And no cocky city sheriff’s going to come in and run the show.”

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool