take the high road

American  

[teyk thuh hahy rohd] / ˈteɪk ðə ˈhaɪ ˌroʊd /

idiom

1. to take a more honorable or ethical course of action.

   The moderator is hoping that candidates will take the high road on debate night and stick to discussing the issues instead of flinging mud at each other.

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Etymology

Origin of take the high road

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

take the high road

Evans asked her if there was ever a moment in which she didn’t want to take the high road.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2025

“Jerry’s decided to take the high road and to be a positive force and a voice of reason,” Kinney says.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 8, 2023

But that determination to take the high road may be put to the test if “Emancipation,” the slavery drama from Apple that stars Smith, proves to be a contender.

From New York Times ● Nov. 7, 2022

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, however, chose to take the high road as Hurricane Ian battered the Sunshine State.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 28, 2022

Leah could always do that—she’d take the high road to please Father, or her teachers, or God, or maybe just to prove she could do it.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver