the straight and narrow

the straight and narrow

A morally upright way of life. I need to stay on the straight and narrow so I don't get arrested again.
See also: and, narrow, straight
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the straight and narrow

Fig. a straight and law-abiding route through life. (Referring to a morally rigid and correct course of behavior. Fixed order.) You should have no trouble with the police if you stick to the straight and narrow. Roger was the kind who followed the straight and narrow every day of his life.
See also: and, narrow, straight
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

straight and narrow, the

The honest and upright way of living, as in He led a wild life when he was young, but he's been on the straight and narrow for some years . This expression is widely though to come from confusion of straight, "not crooked," with strait, "narrow," owing to a misinterpretation of a passage from the New Testament: "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life" (Matthew 7:14). The current phrase dates only from the first half of the 1800s.
See also: and, straight
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the straight and narrow

COMMON If someone or something keeps you on the straight and narrow, they help you to live a good, honest life and prevent you from doing immoral or illegal things. He now had his faith to keep him on the straight and narrow. Note: You can also say that someone strays from the straight and narrow, meaning that they stop living a good, honest life and do something immoral or illegal. The goal is to prevent them from straying from the straight and narrow. Note: `Straight' was originally `strait', which meant `narrow'. The expression probably refers to a passage in the Bible: `Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.'(Matthew 7:14)
See also: and, narrow, straight
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

the straight and narrow

morally correct behaviour.
The full form of the expression is the straight and narrow path or way . It developed from a misunderstanding of Matthew 7:14, ‘strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life’, where strait is in fact being used as another word for narrow .
See also: and, narrow, straight
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

straight and narrow, (walk) the

(Follow) the path of virtue. This term probably alludes to the biblical caution, “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life” (Matthew 7:14), life here meaning salvation. Following the straight and narrow, however, was largely a Victorian concept of rectitude, and the term became current in the nineteenth century. John Dos Passos used it in The 42nd Parallel (1930): “Robbins . . . said that he . . . would have to follow the straight and narrow.”
See also: and, straight
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • straight and narrow, (walk) the
  • straight and narrow, the
  • fall short of (one's) goal
  • fall short of goal
  • a thin line
  • squeeze into
  • squeeze into (something)
  • fall short of the goal
  • rifle
  • rifle approach
References in periodicals archive
Summary: 'Wonky' the Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy is on the straight and narrow after having intensive physio to straighten her deformed legs.
'Wonky' the dog gets physio to walk again
THE saying "keep on the straight and narrow" reminds us to lead a good life.
thought for the day
Each couple is different, and each has a different reason for the conflicts they are experiencing, but the result is the same - the search for the straight and narrow.
Calliope show a `Straight'-up winner
Your hair just won't stay on the straight and narrow? Begin by applying an anti-frizz product (Neutrogena Triple Moisture Smooth Shine Anti-Frizz Cream, $7, drugstores) to damp hair.
Make peace with your hair! We are declaring a truce between you and your 'do. Here's how to solve whatever devilish hair dilemma is keeping you from loving your locks
The Anglican church has clearly been blinded by Satan and stepped off the straight and narrow path.
The flock
Instead of opening all doors and possibilities, IT instead should focus product-development personnel on the straight and narrow course.
The quick-fix myth
Consider yourself lucky if even three or four of your last 10 crushes have been fellow travelers--and don't fret too much about your eyes' occasional detour into the straight and narrow. It's a big world, people, and it's full of scenery.
10 reasons gays chase straights: we've all done it, and some of us do it over and over again. What leads lesbian and gay grown-ups to abandon reason and pursue the sexually unobtainable? (Commentary)
Sure, he's scared when he settles his stocky frame into the straight and narrow sport seat of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
Getting to YES: Leo Hindery Jr.'s pitched battle with Cablevision's Jimmy Dolan was only his latest fight. He thrives on deals, fear and speed
That has kept me on the straight and narrow. I do think that the profession will survive this ordeal.
Speakout! (News & Trends)
FRIENDS of the Noel Gallagher's Scots lover yesterday described her as a "clean-living" girl who would keep him on the straight and narrow.
Sara will be good for Noel say her friends
Presumably, a way to keep on the straight and narrow is to keep reading books about how to achieve success, as it would act as a reinforcement to resolve.
Success by the numbers. (Wip)
"KEEP on the straight and narrow" is an expression we use to remind ourselves to keep out of trouble.
THOUGHT for the DAY