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Synonyms

straighten up

British  

verb

  1. to become or cause to become erect

  2. to reform or become reformed

"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

straighten up Idioms  
  1. Make tidy, as in Let's get this room straightened up. [Second half of 1800s]


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:

Now, it is helping the company straighten up its balance sheet—and getting its hands on a major business in return.

From The Wall Street Journal Oct. 3, 2025

There shall be no more merriment, and in the words of Nat King Cole, it is time to straighten up and fly right.

From Salon Jan. 29, 2025

“When Caleb is around, these kids straighten up and fly right,” says Kim Washington, a vice president on the Boys & Girls Club’s executive board.

From Los Angeles Times Nov. 28, 2023

That caused Biden to straighten up to full attention.

From Washington Times Oct. 2, 2023

I straighten up and look carefully into his face.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

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