straight arrow

American  

noun

Informal.

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

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straight arrow British  

noun

1. informal

   1. a clean-living and honest person

   2. ( as modifier )

      a straight-arrow cop

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Other Word Forms

• straight-arrow adjective

Etymology

Origin of straight arrow

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

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

Widely described as an earnest straight arrow who carried himself with understated confidence, he excelled in all high school endeavors save for athletics and was elected president of his class.

From Washington Post

“He was a straight arrow in every way,” Ms. Jorgensen said.

From New York Times

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

“The name speaks to the company’s mission of being a trustworthy source of news and information — a straight arrow that hits the bull’s eye,” Ricketts said through a spokesperson.

From Washington Post