go straight

Idioms  

1. Become a law-abiding person; abandon crime. For example, Once he got out on probation, he swore he would go straight. The use of straight in the sense of “honest” dates from the 1500s and probably alludes to the opposite of crooked, used in the sense of “dishonest” from the 13th century on.

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Example Sentences

When broaching this conversation, don’t go straight into money talk, says Matt Abrahams, a communication consultant and lecturer in organizational behavior at Stanford University.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026

"People waited until strikes halted to come buy supplies then go straight back home."

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

You’ll probably go straight from “Lorne” to rewatching notorious moments like the controversial Season 3 “stunt baby” sketch — and this is no doubt Michaels’ preferred outcome.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

“We just go straight to the negotiating table.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

“Let’s go straight across the grass,” said Malcolm.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman