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.

With a large community of re-sellers sharing tips on TikTok, Rachel launched her own account in October 2025 to document her journey and keep her on the "straight and narrow".

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Nothing like a close call, a brush with doom, to scare you into staying on the straight and narrow.

From Salon • May 11, 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

It’s an absurd practice, but I go on anyway, pressing him as to why he never got on the straight and narrow sooner.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 23, 2023

“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