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

So Tutt was compelled to walk the straight-and-narrow path whether he liked it or not.

From Project Gutenberg