Straight as an arrow Meaning in English
expression
ˈstɹeɪt/ /ˈæz/, /ˈɛz/ /ˈæn/, /ən/ /ˈæɹoʊ/, /ˈɛɹoʊ
STRAYT az (or ez) an (or un) AIR-oh (or ERR-oh)
stɹˈeɪt/ /ˈæs/ /ˈɐn/ /ˈæɹəʊ
str-AYT as un AIR-oh
Definition
Used to describe someone who is completely honest and morally upright, or something that is very straight in shape.
Usage & Nuances
This is an idiomatic, somewhat old-fashioned expression. Most often refers to honesty, but can also describe physical straightness. Common in both spoken and written English. Do not use for sexual orientation; it's about character or shape.
Spanish: honesto como una flecha - recto como una flechaPortuguese (BR): reto como uma flecha - honesto como uma flechaPortuguese (PT): direito como uma flecha - honesto como uma flechaChinese (Simplified): 像箭一样正直 - 像箭一样笔直Chinese (Traditional): 像箭一樣正直 - 像箭一樣筆直Hindi: तीर जैसा सीधा - तीर जैसा ईमानदारArabic: مستقيم كالسهم - صادق كالسهمBengali: নিখুঁত সোজা - একেবারে সৎ এবং ন্যায়বান (ব্যক্তিস্বভাব)Russian: честный как стрела - прямой как стрелаJapanese: 矢のようにまっすぐ - 正直そのもの（性格について）Vietnamese: thẳng như mũi tên - trung thực tuyệt đối (tính cách)Korean: 화살처럼 곧다 - 완전히 정직하다(성격에서)Turkish: ok gibi doğru - tamamen dürüst (kişilikte)Urdu: بلکل سیدھا - انتہائی ایماندار (کردار میں)Indonesian: lurus seperti anak panah - jujur sepenuhnya (sifat)
Example Sentences
My grandfather is straight as an arrow.
basic
That road is straight as an arrow.
basic
People trust her because she's straight as an arrow.
basic
You never have to worry about him lying—he's straight as an arrow.
natural
Her answers in the interview were straight as an arrow—honest and clear.
natural
That river runs straight as an arrow through the valley.
natural