high road
The ethical route
The high road is literally a main road or highway, though this sense is now somewhat old-fashioned.
The more common use is figurative: taking the high road means choosing the morally superior or more dignified course of action, especially when a pettier response would be easier.
She decided to take the high road and not respond to his insults.
The expression often implies restraint in the face of provocation.
Moral soundness and consistency
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- dignityInnate personal worth
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
virtue · decency · nobility · righteousness · fairness · grace · restraint · maturity
Roadway featuring attractive landscapes
- switchbackReversing mountain path
- overlookMiss or commanding view
- vantage pointPosition offering clear sightlines
- panoramaUnobstructed wide-angle view
hillside · mountain pass · ridgeline · ascent · gradient · incline
integrity
Moral soundness and consistency
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- dignityInnate personal worth
- principlesFoundational moral beliefs
honor · virtue · decency · nobility · righteousness · fairness · grace · restraint · maturity · civility
scenic drive
Roadway featuring attractive landscapes
- switchbackReversing mountain path
- overlookMiss or commanding view
- vantage pointPosition offering clear sightlines
panorama · hillside · mountain pass · ridgeline · ascent · gradient · incline
- moral sayingsdo unto others, golden rule, do the right thing, honesty is the best policy, treat others fairly
- figurative placeslimbo, crossroads, dead end, comfort zone, happy place
- metaphorsbroken heart, dead metaphor, mixed metaphor, time is money, extended metaphor
high roadlow road
Underhanded course of action
gutter · dirty tactics · cheap shots · mudslinging · low blow
high roadlow road
Underhanded course of action
valley road · back road · coastal road · byway · side road