straight and narrow
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of straight and narrow
First recorded in 1945–50
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
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
The “I Get the Bag” artist opened up about what had kept him on the straight and narrow since his release.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2023
In the days and weeks that followed Willie’s shooting, Whitiker made perhaps the most painful decision a mother could make in order to keep her family on the straight and narrow.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
