straight arrow

noun

, Informal.

1. a person who manifests high-minded devotion to clean living and moral righteousness.

straight arrow

noun

1. informal.
   1. a clean-living and honest person
   2. ( as modifier )

      a straight-arrow cop

Other Words From

• straight-arrow adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of straight arrow¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

She remembered her old boss as being “one of those organized, on-top-of-it people” and “a straight arrow.”

From The Daily Beast

For Al Gore, who always seemed like the ultimate straight arrow, that kind of freedom must be mind-blowing.

From The Daily Beast

First the strong bow that bends to our hand, then the straight arrow, tough and trim, and the feathers that wing it to its mark.

From Project Gutenberg

Horace Ford, the champion shot, decides in favor of the straight arrow, and our readers cannot do better than take his advice.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• candid
• forthright
• genuine
• sincere
• truthful
• unequivocal