straight and narrow: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    USUKGeneral Englishinformalidiomatic
    • A morally upright, law‑abiding, and disciplined way of life or course of conduct; the state of adhering to accepted rules and standards of behavior.
    • To follow or commit to such a course (commonly used in the phrase 'on the straight and narrow').

    Examples

    Beta

    • After finishing school, he decided to live on the straight and narrow to avoid trouble.

      After finishing school, he decided to live on the straight and narrow to avoid trouble.

    • The mentor advised the young man to stay on the straight and narrow path to build a good reputation.

      The mentor advised the young man to stay on the straight and narrow path to build a good reputation.

    • Her parents were proud because she always chose the straight and narrow course in her decisions.

      Her parents were proud because she always chose the straight and narrow course in her decisions.

    • Living on the straight and narrow requires discipline and a commitment to ethical behavior.

      Living on the straight and narrow requires discipline and a commitment to ethical behavior.

  • 2.

    USUKGeneral Englishformalfigurative
    • A figurative path representing ethical rectitude or correct conduct; often used in exhortations or moral guidance to indicate the proper course of action.

    Examples

    Beta

    • If you want to succeed, you have to stay on the straight and narrow despite temptations.

      If you want to succeed, you have to stay on the straight and narrow despite temptations.

    • The preacher urged his congregation to follow the straight and narrow path to salvation.

      The preacher urged his congregation to follow the straight and narrow path to salvation.

    • She reminded her brother that the straight and narrow was the best way to live a fulfilling life.

      She reminded her brother that the straight and narrow was the best way to live a fulfilling life.

Examples:

  • EN: Lord high keeper of the knowledge of right and wrong, counselor in moments of temptation and guide along the straight and narrow path.
    ES: Amo y señor del conocimiento del bien y del mal. Consejero en momentos de tentación... Y guía en el largo y arduo camino.
  • EN: Take the straight and narrow path
    ES: ¡Correcto! Ve por el camino largo y arduo, y si ves que te equivocas
  • EN: Take the straight and narrow path And if you start to slide
    ES: Ve por el camino largo y arduo, y si ves que te equivocas
  • EN: Nothing but straight and narrow.
    ES: Solo por el buen camino.
  • EN: Now, as soon as I get that dough, it's the straight and narrow.
    ES: Ahora, tan pronto como consiga esa pasta, será todo conducta y moral.
  • EN: I want the straight and narrow.
    ES: Quiero lo legal y lo honrado.
  • EN: Nothing but straight and narrow.
    ES: Solo por el buen camino.
  • EN: I'm on the straight and narrow.
    ES: Sigo el camino recto.
  • EN: Lord high keeper of the knowledge of right and wrong, counselor in moments of temptation and guide along the straight and narrow path.
    ES: Amo y señor del conocimiento del bien y del mal. Consejero en momentos de tentación... Y guía en el largo y arduo camino.
  • EN: Take the straight and narrow path
    ES: ¡Correcto! Ve por el camino largo y arduo, y si ves que te equivocas
  • EN: Take the straight and narrow path And if you start to slide
    ES: Ve por el camino largo y arduo, y si ves que te equivocas
  • EN: Now, as soon as I get that dough, it's the straight and narrow.
    ES: Ahora, tan pronto como consiga esa pasta, será todo conducta y moral.
  • EN: I want the straight and narrow.
    ES: Quiero lo legal y lo honrado.
  • EN: The straight and narrow?
    ES: ¿La recta y estrecha?
  • EN: Said it would keep him on the straight and narrow.
    ES: Dijo que nos mantendría en el buen camino.
  • EN: It's perfectly understandable why she would be straying off the straight and narrow after these twenty years.
    ES: Es comprensible que se haya apartado de lo recto y limitado después de estos 20 años.
  • EN: My job is to bring them back to the straight and narrow those unhappy souls who have ended up on the slippery slope of crime.
    ES: Mi labor es reconducir al buen camino a los infelices a los que la vida ha empujado por la cuesta del delito.
  • EN: Here's to the straight and narrow path.
    ES: Brindemos por la buena conducta.
  • EN: So from now on I'm traveling the straight and narrow.
    ES: De aquí en adelante, me mantendré dentro de la ley.
  • EN: To stay on the straight and narrow path and never to lie.
    ES: A que sigáis por el camino recto y arduo, y nunca mintáis.
  • EN: # To tread your straight and narrow path with pride
    ES: Con dignidad sus pasos seguirán.
  • EN: I'm on the straight and narrow.
    ES: Sigo el camino recto.

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Sourced from Wiktionary

Source: Wiktionary

straight and narrow | Idiomator