straight and narrow

noun

1. the way of virtuous or proper conduct:

   After his release from prison, he resolved to follow the straight and narrow.

straight and narrow

noun

1. informal.
   the proper, honest, and moral path of behaviour

Word History and Origins

Origin of straight and narrow¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Word History and Origins

Origin of straight and narrow¹

perhaps an alteration of strait and narrow, an allusion to Matthew 7:14: ``strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life''

Example Sentences

Houlahan and Curtis decided to focus on oncogenes, normal genes that, when mutated, can free a cell from regulatory pathways meant to keep it on the straight and narrow.

From Science Daily

The entry point to superhero and anti-hero movies and TV shows is straight and narrow, in the most literal sense.

From Salon

They anchored us, raised us and kept us — or at least, tried to keep me — on the straight and narrow.”

From Salon

It’s an absurd practice, but I go on anyway, pressing him as to why he never got on the straight and narrow sooner.

From Seattle Times

The “I Get the Bag” artist opened up about what had kept him on the straight and narrow since his release.

From Los Angeles Times