Phrase guide

straight and narrow

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A path of honesty; a procedure according to rules and plans.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • The project would seriously go down the pan if Mrs. Foster weren't here to keep it on the straight and narrow.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the way of proper and honest behavior

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he taught his children to keep strictly to the straight and narrow

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: strait and narrow

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: way, path, way of life

History

Etymology

Probably "strait and narrow," from Matthew 7:14.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 正道 (zhèngdào) — path of honesty
  • Chinese Mandarin: 正當途徑 /正当途径 (zhèngdàng tújìng) — path of honesty
  • Finnish: kaita tie — path of honesty
  • French: droit chemin — path of honesty
  • Italian: retta via — path of honesty
  • Italian: in carreggiata — path of honesty
  • Polish: prosta droga — path of honesty
  • Polish: iść prostą drogą — path of honesty
  • Polish: pójść prostą drogą — path of honesty
  • Swedish: den smala vägen — path of honesty