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Synonyms

straight arrow

American  

noun

Informal.
  1. a person who manifests high-minded devotion to clean living and moral righteousness.


straight arrow British  

noun

  1. informal

    1. a clean-living and honest person

    2. ( as modifier )

      a straight-arrow cop

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of straight arrow

First recorded in 1965–70

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.

See Examples For:

As the straight arrow protagonist, Park expertly pulls off a trick similar to Kristen Wiig in “Bridesmaids”: Her character serves as the narrative engine, while also setting up comedy opportunities for the others.

From New York Times Jul. 6, 2023

Was it the straight arrow at the start of the series or this late-stage Kim, who’s sort of off the rails?

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 15, 2022

Even as a child, he was a straight arrow with a sense of duty, honor and country, and he carried that Boy Scout quality into adulthood.

From Washington Post May 26, 2021

Lobo said Thursday he brought Bonilla in to clean up the force, because he was known as a straight arrow.

From Washington Times Apr. 30, 2020

At Truman, Wayne is known as a straight arrow, Mr. Responsibility.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

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