narrow gate
Slim entry point
A narrow gate is a restrictive entry point—literal or figurative—that few can pass through.
The phrase usually alludes to the biblical passage where Jesus contrasts the narrow gate leading to life with the wide gate leading to destruction.
In extended use, it describes any difficult path requiring discipline or sacrifice: Success in academia is a narrow gate.
- straitConstricted marine passage
- passageSegment of text
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
- thresholdPoint of beginning
- entrancePoint of access
doorway · squeeze · constriction · pathway · salvation · biblical · Matthew · kingdom of heaven · difficult · restricted · hard road · few · righteous · pilgrim · spiritual journey · journey · eye of needle · cramped
- Biblical imageryLamb of God, Good Shepherd, bread of life, light of the world, living water
- GospelsJesus, gospels, Jesus Christ, apostles, Gospel of Mark
- Jesus' teachingsSermon on the Mount, beatitudes, Beatitudes, love your enemies, Lord's Prayer
- parablesprodigal son, Good Samaritan, mustard seed, lost sheep, sower
- Scripture PhrasesJohn 3:16, Lord's Prayer, Our Father, Ten Commandments, Beatitudes
- fablesfable, Aesop, Aesop's fables, Aesop fables, tortoise and hare
narrow gateopen door
Barrier removed for entry
open admission · universal access · low bar · easy access · big tent
narrow, gate, narrower, narrowest, narrowly, narrowness, narrows, narrowing, narrowed