straight as a ramrod
Stiff, unbending posture
Straight as a ramrod describes rigid, upright posture—the kind maintained by soldiers at attention or people of strict bearing.
A ramrod is the metal rod used to pack ammunition into old firearms, necessarily inflexible.
The phrase often implies stiffness beyond the physical: She sat straight as a ramrod through the entire sermon, disapproving of everything.
- stiffNot easily bent
- bolt uprightRigidly erect in posture
- erectVertical in position
- uprightVertical or morally sound
- rigidUnable to bend
military bearing · incorruptible · unyielding · uncompromising · steadfast · resolute · virtuous · honorable · dignified · disciplined · inflexible · principled · iron will · strict · by the book · unwavering · formal · stiff upper lip
straight, straighter, straightest, straighten, straightened, straightening, straightens, straightness, straightaway