straight arrow
Americannoun
noun
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.
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 • Sep. 13, 2022
In other words, when it comes to following U.S. law and protocol, Bolton is a fairly straight arrow.
From Slate • Jan. 28, 2020
“Masha Yovanovitch is known as a straight arrow, disciplined, professional.”
From New York Times • Sep. 26, 2019
The critique of his demeanor implied that the lifelong public servant had lost a step or two, that he’s a shadow of the hardworking straight arrow everyone remembers.
From Washington Times • Jul. 30, 2019
At Truman, Wayne is known as a straight arrow, Mr. Responsibility.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
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.
