straight bat
Perpendicular blade stance
In cricket, a straight bat is held vertically when striking the ball, considered proper technique.
The phrase extends figuratively to mean honest, straightforward conduct—playing by the rules without deception: He played a straight bat throughout the investigation.
To bat a straight bat is to respond carefully and noncommittally, deflecting difficult questions without giving anything away.
Moral soundness and consistency
- truthfulnessHabit of not lying
- candorUnguarded truthfulness
- franknessDirect, unguarded honesty
- transparencyState of being see-through
trustworthiness · forthrightness · probity · rectitude · fairness · ethical · honorable · principled
Operate a vehicle
- blockSolid mass, or impede
- creaseLine from folding
- stumpsCut tree bases
- wicketSmall subsidiary entrance
innings · boundary · bowler · pitch · test match · back foot · technique · textbook
Cautious about altering customs
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
- orthodoxConforming to established belief
- properSocially appropriate
- correctFree from error
by-the-book · establishment · old school · public school · gentlemanly · sporting · fair play · done thing
Direct, unguarded honesty
- bluntnessFrank, unvarnished manner
- clarityState of being understandable
- unambiguousAllowing single interpretation only
- no-nonsenseSerious and efficient
integrity
Moral soundness and consistency
- truthfulnessHabit of not lying
- candorUnguarded truthfulness
- franknessDirect, unguarded honesty
transparency · trustworthiness · forthrightness · probity · rectitude · fairness · ethical · honorable · principled · above board
drive
Operate a vehicle
wicket · innings · boundary · bowler · pitch · test match · back foot · technique · textbook · Lord's
conservative
Cautious about altering customs
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
- orthodoxConforming to established belief
- properSocially appropriate
correct · by-the-book · establishment · old school · public school · gentlemanly · sporting · fair play · done thing · decorum
frankness
Direct, unguarded honesty
- bluntnessFrank, unvarnished manner
- clarityState of being understandable
- unambiguousAllowing single interpretation only
no-nonsense · matter-of-fact · unvarnished · forthright · unequivocal
- cricket termsfielder, test match, bowler, long leg, midwicket
- batting stylesorthodox, unorthodox, defensive, aggressive, switch hitting
straight batslog
Laborious persistent effort
swipe · heave · mow · switch hit · hack
straight batevasiveness
Tendency to avoid directness
deception · dishonesty · duplicity · underhandedness · foul play
straight, straighter, straightest, straighten, straightened, straightening, straightens, straightness, straightaway