The straight and narrow Meaning in English

expression

US

THUH / thee STRAYT and NAR-oh / NER-oh

UK

thuh / thee strayt and NAIR-oh

Definition

To live life according to rules, laws, or moral standards; behaving in an honest and proper way.

Usage & Nuances

This is a somewhat formal or old-fashioned expression, often used in advice, stories, or when discussing good behavior. Usually heard as 'stay on the straight and narrow' or 'keep someone on the straight and narrow.'

• Spanish: el buen camino - la senda recta
• Portuguese (BR): o caminho certo - o caminho reto
• Portuguese (PT): o caminho certo - o caminho reto
• Chinese (Simplified): 正道 - 正直的道路
• Chinese (Traditional): 正道 - 正直的道路
• Hindi: सीधा और सरल रास्ता
• Arabic: الطريق المستقيم - الطريق الصحيح
• Bengali: সৎ ও সঠিক পথ - ন্যায় পথে
• Russian: правильный путь - честный путь (в жизни)
• Japanese: 真っ当な道 - 正しい道
• Vietnamese: con đường ngay thẳng - con đường đúng đắn
• Korean: 올바른 길 - 바른길
• Turkish: doğru yol - dürüst yol
• Urdu: سیدھا راستہ - نیک راستہ
• Indonesian: jalan yang benar - jalan yang lurus

Example Sentences

He tries to stay on the straight and narrow.

basic

Parents want their children to follow the straight and narrow.

basic

He got into trouble but returned to the straight and narrow.

basic

Without his mentor, it was hard for him to stay on the straight and narrow.

natural

Sometimes it's tough to keep teenagers on the straight and narrow.

natural

"You just have to keep walking the straight and narrow, even when it gets hard," she said.

natural