the straight and narrow
noun
informal
: the way of living that is honest and morally proper
His wife keeps him on the straight and narrow.
Examples of the straight and narrow in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In one fell swoop, that verdict rejected decades of Madigan and his loyalists polishing the image of the once-mighty speaker as a politician above reproach, a statesman who never crossed the line, a lawyer with a personal code of conduct that kept him on the straight and narrow.
—
Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
Ricky’s poor mother has hardly slept a wink in 15 years, ever since that fateful knock at the door, and despite her stone-cold front, Joanne, an old friend of the Smiths, is actually doing her best to keep Ricky on the straight and narrow.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025
For a real transformation, everyone’s switching to heavy weights—and building a butt
By Lauren Bans
Reflections
Peak Beak So much for the straight and narrow.
—airmail.news, 3 Jan. 2025
In order to get ahead, Smith will have to keep on the straight and narrow—which is easier said than done.
—Shannon Carlin, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024
Elwood is a product of the belief that Jim Crow demanded Black Americans, in order to survive, live life on the straight and narrow.
—K. Austin Collins, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024
During her 11 seasons on Duck Dynasty, Kay kept the Robertson men on the straight and narrow.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Martin Odegaard’s return from injury has put Arsenal back on the straight and narrow.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Stick to the straight and narrow, and don’t look somewhere you’ve been asked not to.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
Ricky’s poor mother has hardly slept a wink in 15 years, ever since that fateful knock at the door, and despite her stone-cold front, Joanne, an old friend of the Smiths, is actually doing her best to keep Ricky on the straight and narrow.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025
For a real transformation, everyone’s switching to heavy weights—and building a butt
By Lauren Bans
Reflections
Peak Beak So much for the straight and narrow.
—airmail.news, 3 Jan. 2025
In order to get ahead, Smith will have to keep on the straight and narrow—which is easier said than done.
—Shannon Carlin, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024
Elwood is a product of the belief that Jim Crow demanded Black Americans, in order to survive, live life on the straight and narrow.
—K. Austin Collins, The Atlantic, 13 Dec. 2024
During her 11 seasons on Duck Dynasty, Kay kept the Robertson men on the straight and narrow.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024
Martin Odegaard’s return from injury has put Arsenal back on the straight and narrow.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Stick to the straight and narrow, and don’t look somewhere you’ve been asked not to.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“The straight and narrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20straight%20and%20narrow. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share